What kind of wine is Barbera?
Barbera is a red wine. Originally from Piedmont, this grape has established itself as one of the most important Italian red grape varieties and has found fertile ground in other regions of Italy, including Lombardy and Emilia Romagna, where it has demonstrated all its multifaceted characteristics.
Together with Sangiovese, Barbera is the most widely grown grape variety in Italy.
However, while Barbera was once considered a rustic wine, its reputation has changed today thanks to new cultivation and winemaking techniques, which have allowed it to express its full potential, making it one of the most appreciated Piedmontese red wines, even abroad.
How many types of Barbera are there?
In general terms, it is possible to find Barbera d'Asti wines that have been aged in stainless steel, maintaining the intact aromas of the varietal, others that have been aged in tonneaux and others that have been aged in barriques. Let's take a quick look at the main appellations and types of the best Barbera wines:
Starting with the best known and most widespread appellations, we have:
Barbera d'Asti DOCG - the Barbera par excellence, fresh and elegant
Barbera del Monferrato DOC - long-lived and austere in character
Barbera d'Alba DOC - fine and balanced, typical of the Langhe
Going into more detail, we can then distinguish:
Barbera dei Colli Tortonesi - mineral, with citrus notes
Barbera del Monferrato Superiore - structured, suitable for ageing
Barbera di Nizza DOCG - modern, with marked acidity, offering balsamic and spicy notes
The characteristics of Barbera wines
The pigmentation of this grape variety is naturally high, which translates into wines with a deep and lively colour.
On the nose, Barbera wines open with primary aromas of fresh, ripe red fruit, such as cherries, plums and sometimes berries. In young wines, these aromas are often pure and vibrant. With ageing in wood, secondary and tertiary notes can emerge, such as vanilla, liquorice, tobacco and spices.
On the palate, Barbera is distinguished by its marked acidity, a distinctive trait that gives the wine freshness and liveliness. This acidity is well balanced by a good structure and generally soft, rounded tannins, especially if the wine has spent time in wood.
What to pair it with?
The pairings with this wine are almost endless, but a few suggestions can undoubtedly be helpful.
For a Barbera-themed dinner, we suggest starting with a young, slightly sparkling wine, ideal with cold cuts and stuffed pasta, followed by a more complex version that has been aged in wood, excellent with roasted meats.
The prices of Barbera wines
Barbera wines offer excellent value for money, allowing enthusiasts to enjoy high-quality wines without necessarily having to spend a fortune.
For an everyday Barbera, such as a fairly young Barbera d'Asti or Barbera del Monferrato, you can find bottles starting at around £7-10. These wines offer the characteristic fruity profile and lively acidity that make Barbera so enjoyable and versatile.
If you want something more structured and complex, such as a Barbera d'Asti Superiore or a Barbera d'Alba with a certain period of ageing in barrels, prices can rise to around £15-20, sometimes even more, depending on the prestige of the producer and the reputation of the vintage.
What are the best Barbera wines?
Our exclusive wine is definitely worth mentioning: Scrimaglio represents the new generation of producers who maximise the potential of Barbera, enhancing its elegance and pleasantness.
Let's start with one of the historic wineries, Braida di Giacomo Bologna, located in the Asti area. This is where the renowned Barbera d'Asti “Bricco dell'Uccellone” is produced, a modern-style wine icon.
Another historic winery is Coppo, which produces excellent Barbera in the Asti and Monferrato appellations. Their “Pomorosso” is considered one of the best pure Barbera wines.
We should also mention Michele Chiarlo, another well-established winery in the Monferrato hills that produces Barbera wines of great finesse and elegance, such as the ‘La Court’ cru.
Take your pick from our delicious selection – or maybe choose a few and host a tasting with your friends.
