Barbera
Barbera is a grape variety widespread above all in Northern Italy. The areas of choice for the Barbera grape are Piedmont and Lombardy: in Piedmont it is above all the areas of Asti, Alba and Monferrato that contribute to the success of Barbera, which is also connoted for women, such as Barbera. Barbera grapes are in fact at the center of two important appellations such as that relating to Barbera d'Asti DOCG with at least 90%, Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG with at least 85% of Barbera, Barbera d'Alba DOC with at least 85% of Barbera. From the lands of lower Piedmont, Barbera then spread to the area of the Tortona hills, Oltrepò Pavese, up to the Piacentino valleys. Due to its generous and vigorous nature, Barbera was then planted in other areas of the peninsula and still today we find it present in Umbria, Marche, Abruzzo, Campania, Apulia, Basilicata and Calabria. Like many European varieties, Barbera has followed the migratory flows that have brought it to some countries of the new world such as Australia, Argentina and to the United States in particular to California. Wine once considered to belong by right to the peasant culture and very edgy by virtue of high levels of acidity, today Barbera is vinified with avant-garde techniques that reduce its disruptive character to create wines for immediate consumption or with greater freshness as more cutlery and complex variants. With historical evidence that accredits the presence of the vine since the eighteenth century and with the enormous diffusion it has enjoyed in recent times, Barbera is no longer in the shadow of Nebbiolo e Grignolino as it can boast its own market, defined above all by the interest of the public who seems to have discovered and exploited its potential. This is also due to the fact that the Barbera grape has good vigor and is very productive: Above all this second characteristic is the basis of its success and its diffusion, so much so that together with Sangiovese, it remains today the most cultivated red grape variety in Italy. The grape produces quite large and heavy clusters, with dark blackish blueberries covered with abundant bloom. Barbera wine has very particular and recognizable characteristics: the color is ruby red with violet reflections. The nose expresses intense aromas with vinous notes, fresh aromas of ripe red fruit, violets and spices. The sip is dominated by an acidity that refreshes the palate in such an overwhelming way as to become the real distinctive feature of the wine. Among the most successful combinations we find the dishes of Piedmontese cuisine such as mixed boiled meats, cooked meats, agnolotti with meat sauce, cotechini, polenta and sausages, all foods that benefit from the acid freshness of Barbera to balance a certain fatness.
Barbera d'Asti and Barbera d'Alba
Barbera d'Asti DOCG and Barbera d'Alba DOC wines are produced in different municipalities and correspond to two different appellations. Despite being a few tens of kilometers away, the cities of Asti and Alba present two wines made from Barbera grapes with slightly different characteristics. Barbera d'Alba DOC, also present in the Superiore version, is usually vinified in purity even if it is not unusual to add a small percentage of Nebbiolo (maximum 15%). For Barbera d'Asti DOCG the percentage of Barbera grapes must be 90% while the grapes must come from land located between the provinces of Asti and Alessandria. For the mention 'Superiore' the Barbera d'Asti DOCG includes the mention of the name of the vineyard and respects a minimum aging of 14 months, of which at least 6 in wooden barrels.
What are the characteristics of Barbera wine?
Barbera wine has a medium or high intensity ruby red color. Floral and ripe fruit aromas emerge on the nose, while on the palate they are finished with a pleasant spiciness that suggests a medium or full body, good structure and distinct tannins. The finish can be medium or long.
What are the characteristics of the Barbera grape?
The Barbera grape has a medium, pentagonal, five-lobed leaf and has a compact pyramidal cluster with medium-sized berries, a medium-thick and bluish skin.
How many alcoholic degrees does Barbera wine reach?
Barbera d'Asti DOCG must have a minimum alcohol content of 12%. Barbera d'Alba DOC can have a minimum alcohol content of 11%.
Barbera d'Asti DOCG Bricco dell'Uccellone 2021 Braida
The Barbera d'Asti Bricco dell'Uccellone is produced by Braida and is born in vineyards located in the municipality of Rocchetta Tanaro (AT), in Piedmont. Braida is the winery of Giacomo Bologna, father of Raffaella and Giuseppe, who today run the family business, founded in 1961. The Braida winery is located in Rocchetta Tanaro, a small town in the province of Asti and located in Monferrato, one of the main wine-growing areas of Piedmont.
The Bricco dell'Uccellone grapes are harvested and select...
View product pageBarbera d'Asti DOCG I Bricchi 2022 Scarpa
Barbera I Bricchi is a red wine from the Scarpa winery, located on the hills of Nizza Monferrato (AT). This wine is born on the vineyards located at Tenute Bricchi, one of the 3 company estates, located between Castel Rocchero and Acqui Terme.
After the traditional vinification, the Barbera matures for 2 years in large French oak vats, and then remains in the bottle for a year before being put on the market.
In the glass the wine appears ruby red in color with purple hues. The nose is enveloped by...
View product pageColli Tortonesi DOC Monleale 2017 Vigneti Massa
This Monleale is a red wine produced in the Colli Tortonesi by the Vigneti Massa agricultural company, with Barbera grapes grown in various historic plots such as Bigolla, Campolungo, Fontana, Casareggio, Vignetta due, Cerreta, and Vecchia Cerreta. These vineyards, located between calcareous and calcareous-clay soils with mainly east and west exposures, create a mosaic of terroirs that give rise to a wine with authentic and territorial character.
The vinification takes place according to traditio...
View product pageBarbera d'Alba DOC Bric du Luv 2023 Ca' Viola
Ca' Viola's Barbera d'Alba Bric du Luv was born in the vineyard of the same name in Montelupo Albese and is one of the company's historic labels.
The fermentation of Barbera grapes takes place in thermo-controlled tanks for 20-25 days. The wine is aged for 13-15 months in small 10 hl barrels.
Ruby red in color with violet hues, it expresses aromas of red fruit, mentholated and balsamic notes on the nose. The palate is powerful and elegant, with a long finish.
On the table it goes very well with roa...
View product pageNizza DOCG Riserva Costamiòle 2022 Prunotto
Nizza Riserva Costamiòle was born in the homonymous vineyard, located in the Prunotto estate of the Marchesi Antinori, in the Asti area of Agliano Terme, in Piedmont.
It is produced with 100% Barbera grapes, carefully picked and selected by hand. Fermentation takes place, with maceration, at a controlled temperature of 30 ° C for 15 days. After the malolactic fermentation, carried out in new French Alllier oak barriques, the wine ages for 12 months in the same containers and for another 12 months...
View product pageNizza DOCG 2020 Cascina Valle Asinari
Nizza di Cascina Valle Asinari is a red wine of great elegance and power, produced with 100% Barbera grapes grown in the Asinari Valley, in San Marzano Oliveto, Piedmont. This denomination represents the maximum expression of Barbera d'Asti, with vineyards located at an altitude of 300 meters, on sandy and loamy soils with southern exposure.
The vinification involves spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts in concrete tanks for about 12 days. After racking and pressing, the wine returns t...
View product pageBarbera d'Alba DOC Vigna Francia 2021 Giacomo Conterno
The Conterno family has been cultivating vineyards in the Langhe since the early 1900s. The winery is located in Monforte d'Alba and its labels represent one of the highest qualitative peaks, not only in Piedmont but in the entire peninsula.
The wine is born in an exceptional terroir, the Vigna Francia is located in the municipality of Serralunga d'Alba, where a historic vine like Barbera expresses itself on exceptional quality levels. At the end of the manual harvest, the best bunches are vinifi...
View product pageBarbera d'Alba Superiore DOC La Preda 2021 Fratelli Barale
Barbera d'Alba Superiore La Preda is produced by Fratelli Barale, a winery that has been producing wine in the municipality of Barolo since the end of the 19th century. Today Eleonora and Gloria Barale lead the company.
The grapes are normally harvested in the second half of October, to then be destemmed and softly pressed. Fermentation takes place in thermoregulated steel tanks and with indigenous yeasts, while maceration on the skins lasts about a week. The wine ages for 12 months in tonneaux a...
View product pageNizza DOCG 2019 Castello di Perno
Nizza del Castello di Perno is a red wine made exclusively with 100% Barbera grapes, sourced from carefully selected vineyards in the hills of the Piedmont region.
The winemaking process involves destemming the grapes, followed by cold maceration for 48 hours and spontaneous fermentation with maceration for about 20 days at a controlled temperature. The aging takes place in wooden barrels for 20 months, with subsequent maturation in the bottle after the summer, which helps to develop a complex an...
View product pageBarbera d'Alba Superiore DOC Castlè 2023 Fratelli Barale
Barbera d'Alba Superiore Castlé is produced by Fratelli Barale, a winery that has been producing wine in the municipality of Barolo since the end of the 19th century. Today Eleonora and Gloria Barale lead the company. The Barbera grapes come from the Castellero and Preda vineyards.
The grapes are normally harvested at the beginning of October, to then be destemmed and softly pressed. Fermentation takes place in thermoregulated steel tanks and with indigenous yeasts, while maceration on the skins ...
View product pageNizza DOCG Barbera Ruj 2020 San Silvestro
The Nizza di San Silvestro belongs to the Ruj collection, which in Piedmontese means oak, the type of wood used for refining wines.
The Barbera grapes are harvested in October and vinified. The wine ages for 18 months, of which 6 in wooden barrels.
Ruby red in color, the nose reveals aromas of black cherries, plums, blueberries, vanilla and cinnamon. The sip is fresh, with round tannins and a persistent finish.
It goes very well with bagna cauda.
View product pageBarbera d'Alba DOC 2023 Alberto Ballarin
This Barbera d'Alba is produced by the Alberto Ballarin winery, located in La Morra, one of the most fascinating villages in the Langhe. The winery was born in the 80s by the will of Luigi and his sons Giorgio and Giovanni. In recent years, Giorgio's son, Alberto, decides to devote himself completely to the family business: this is how the Alberto Ballarin company was born.
The harvest is manual and takes place in October. The grapes are fermented in steel tanks at a controlled temperature. The w...
View product pageBarbera d'Asti DOCG Superiore 2022 Cascina Valle Asinari
Cascina Valle Asinari's Barbera d'Asti Superiore is a full-bodied red wine, produced with 100% Barbera grapes from the upper part of the vineyard in San Marzano Oliveto, Piedmont. The vineyards are located at an altitude of 300 meters with southern exposure, on sandy and loamy soils.
The vinification takes place through spontaneous fermentation in concrete tanks for about 12 days, using only indigenous yeasts. After fermentation, the wine is drawn off and pressed, then returns to the concrete tan...
View product pageBarbera d'Alba Superiore DOC Marun 2022 Matteo Correggia
The Barbera d'Alba Superiore Marun di Correggia comes from the homonymous vineyard located within the spectacular landscape of the Roero, in the municipality of Canale d'Alba, in the province of Cuneo.
It is made exclusively from Barbera grapes, manually harvested in late September. Vinification takes place entirely in steel, with maceration in contact with the skins for 8-10 days. The wine ages for at least 15 months in large and small barrels, followed by a further 12 months of aging in bottle ...
View product pageBarbera d'Asti DOCG 2022 Cascina Valle Asinari
Barbera d'Asti by Cascina Valle Asinari is a red wine produced exclusively with Barbera grapes grown in the Asinari Valley, in San Marzano Oliveto, Piedmont. The Barbera vineyards are located 300 meters above sea level with southern exposure, on sandy and loamy soils.
The vinification begins with a spontaneous fermentation of about 12 days in cement tanks, using only indigenous yeasts. The wine is then drawn off and pressed before returning to the cement tanks to complete the malolactic fermentat...
View product pageBarbera d'Alba DOC 2023 Pio Cesare
Pio Cesare's Barbera d'Alba comes from its own vineyards located in Serralunga d'Alba, Monforte d'Alba, Treisio, Sinio and Diano d'Alba. Each of these areas makes its own contribution to the final product, which thus takes on exclusive characteristics.
The grapes ferment in steel with maceration on the skins for about 20-25 days. The wine ages in French oak barrels for 12 months and in barrique for a small part.
It shows a ruby red color. The scents that envelop the nose tell sensations of ripe re...
View product pageOltrepò Pavese DOC Dodici Dodici 2023 Castello di Cigognola
The Dodici Dodici del Castello di Cigognola wine was born in Oltrepò Pavese from Barbera grapes. The Castle, which overlooks the Scuropasso valley, has belonged to the Arnaboldi, Brichetto and Moratti families for generations and dates back to the mid-fourteenth century. Since 1981 the farm has been managed exclusively by the Moratti family.
After pressing, the wine macerates on the skins for the entire duration of fermentation, which takes place thanks to indigenous yeasts. 20% of the bunch is k...
View product pageBarbera d'Alba Superiore DOC 2020 Tenuta Cucco
This Barbera d'Alba Superiore originates in the Elia di Roddi d'Alba vineyard, owned by Tenuta Cucco.
Only the best grapes are harvested and pressed, then transferred to steel vats where a first alcoholic fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature of 18 ° C for 3 days in order to extract most of the varietal aromas. A further fermentation follows at 26 ° C with post-fermentation maceration of 6-8 days. After malolactic fermentation, the wine ages for 12 months in small oak barrels with ...
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