Barbera

Barbera is a red grape variety widely planted mainly in Piedmont followed by Lombardy and in various other Italian regions and its cultivation has expanded over the years making Barbera the most planted varietal in Piedmont and together with the Sangiovese, the most planted in Italy.

Barbera is an easy to grow red grape, and whilst in Piedmont is very often vinified on its own to produce the widely known Barbera D’Alba and Barbera D’Asti, outside the region it is mainly found in blends due to its high level of acidity, supporting grapes that are lacking it.

Initially the Barbera was considered an average grape and wine, it is still the everyday wine in Piedmont, considered inferior to the Nebbiolo grape and wines, but over time, thanks to forward thinking wine makers and the use of wood ageing to add tannins, complexity and longevity, its reputation has grown and now Barbera produces excellent red wines.

The Barbera grape is used in many wines, there are dozens of Italian DOC appellations permitting its use, but the most important, 100% Barbera wines, are the Barbera D’Alba, from grapes grown in vineyards located in and around the town of Alba, and Barbera D’Asti, from Asti, both towns located in Piedmont and very close to each other.

Despite Barbera d’Alba enjoying a better reputation than its neighbour in the eyes of many wine drinkers, showing more elegance and less acidity, winemakers from the Asti region, are making outstanding Barbera D’Asti wines, mainly Superiore and Nizza DOCG, until recently part of the Barbera D’Asti DOCG appellation and now appellations on their own with the aim of changing the Barbera D’Asti reputation.