Buy or order Barbera wine

Barbera became famous in Northern Italy, namely Piedmont. There, it has certainly earned its reputation, and we now see the grape much more frequently in Italy. Well-known regions where it grows include Barbera d'Alba and Barbera d'Asti. Its history dates back to the year 1800, as reports on the Barbera grape were already being published back then. Around the 1980s, Barbera began to receive more attention. This hadn't been the case for years, and the grape was considered young and particularly lacking in power. Wines were rarely aged in oak back then. Fortunately, that's the case today. The Barbera grape has evolved, and winemakers were soon convinced of its power, provided they work hard in the vineyard. Extensive pruning gave the grapes a different style, and the Piedmontese method attracted considerable attention throughout Italy.

Barbera the grape from Piedmont

As mentioned earlier, Barbera grapes from Piedmont are often aged in oak for several months. This gives them greater depth and richness in both aroma and flavor. Predominantly unused French oak barrels are used. This allows the Barbera grape to absorb all the beautiful qualities of the oak, resulting in a robust and elegant red wine. This is one of the reasons why a Piedmont Barbera can now age for a long time in the bottle, with some even suggesting 8 to 10 years.

We also see this grape more often in other countries with cooler climates, such as Chile and Australia. When planted in the right spot, it produces a bumper harvest. Unfortunately, it's not yet comparable to wines from Piedmont.

The taste of the Barbera Grape

What does a Barbera from Piedmont taste like? It's a pure surprise with a full and powerful character. The aroma often offers hints of cherry and plum, complemented by light spice, vanilla, and notes of the oak barrel. The palate is crisp and dry with beautifully refined tannins and, of course, plenty of red fruit. On the back of the tongue, it offers a combination of cocoa, tobacco, violets, and occasionally some plums. But above all, it's a good introduction to a Barolo wine, since it comes from the same region, after all.

The Barbera has specific requirements when it comes to wine and food pairings. It loves dishes with truffles, grilled red meat, all kinds of mushrooms, and stews. This wine also pairs well with fatty dishes; its acidity cuts through the fat, making it perfect. Mushroom risottos are also a fantastic dish for a Barbera from Piedmont. If you simply want a hearty evening of wine, this Piedmontese variety is also excellent!