Barbera | Grape variety
Barbera is a northern Italian grape variety best known for the Piedmontese wines Barbera d'Alba and Barbera d'Asti, which produce fresh, light red wines with low tannin content. Along with Nebbiolo and Dolcetto, it is synonymous with Piedmont, although this dark-skinned grape variety is found in several Italian wine regions, including the native Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, Puglia, Campania and even the islands of Sicily and Sardinia.
Barbera nera is popular for producing colorful, fruity red wines with light to medium flavor, low tannin and high acidity. Its soft tannin profile distinguishes it from Nebbiolo, its more prestigious - and very tannic - counterpart from Piedmont. As a result, Barbera is used in both blended wines and varietal wines - the latter becoming more common as Italy focuses more on varietal labeling.
When young, most Barbera wines have a light red, cherry character, distinguished from Nebbiolo (which often overshadows Barbera) by softer tannins and a certain roundness. Barrel aging followed by bottle aging produces a denser, tart cherry note. Barrel aging can also add wood tannins that can balance the generally low tannins of the variety. A warm, Merlot-like plum note is also common, although the varietal is more related to Mourvèdre than Merlot in terms of flavor profile. When overheated, a Barbera vine produces comparatively flat, dull wines with notes of prunes and raisins, while its trademark cherry flavor tends toward the cherry. - Gerardo
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Mommiano · Barbera d'Alba DOC 2022Marco Porello, Piedmont
The color is ruby red with a violet core. The bouquet is typical Barbera of red fruits and some sour curd. The palate is wonderfully juicy, with harmonious acidity and subtle minerality. Overall, the Barbera 'Mommiano' is a well-made classic with a decent price. - Gerardo [TS02/23]
€ 9,95 13,27 €/L
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Paolina · Barbera d'Alba DOC 2021Ca' del Baio, Piedmont
A fresh and pleasant to drink red wine with fine acidity. The typical bouquet announces hints of coniferous wood and violets. On the palate it is harmonious and of moderate bitterness. Carried by the characteristic acidity of Barbera, Paolina maintains a nice softness on the palate. - Gerardo [TS04/22]
€ 10,95 14,60 €/L
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Mon Ross · Barbera d'Asti DOCG 2022Forteto della Luja, Piedmont
In the glass bright cherry red with garnet reflections. The bouquet conveys hints of fresh red fruits and violets. Fresh, juicy and youthful on the palate. 100% Barbera. - Gerardo [TS01/23]
€ 10,95 14,60 €/L
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Vigna Santella del Gröm · Curtefranca Rosso DOC 2016Ricci Curbastro, Lombardy
Dark ruby color with scattered light red inclusions. Intense and harmonious bouquet of ripe fruit and hints of noble wood. On the palate full-bodied, finesse and silky with soft tannins and fresh acidity. - Gerardo [TS12/17]
€ 14,95 19,93 €/L
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Barbera d'Alba Superiore DOC 2020 (Bio)Giacomo Brezza & Figli, Piedmont
The Barbera plantings of this high quality site (Cannubi Muscatel) date back to 1942 and produce grapes of excellent quality. The color of Barbera d'Alba is strong ruby red with dense dark core. The typical Barbera nose is expansive with berry fruit and meadow herbs. The palate is powerful with ripe tannins and of good length. - Gerardo [TS06/21]
€ 19,95 26,60 €/L
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Le Grive · Monferrato Rosso DOC 2021Forteto della Luja, Piedmont
Monferrato Rosso Le Grive leaves a unique impression: the pronounced aroma recalls fresh fruit with hints of vanilla and exotic spices. The palate is fresh, velvety and with a long finish. - Gerardo [TS01/22]
€ 19,95 26,60 €/L
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Vigna Pozzo Barbera d'Alba DOC 2020Renato Corino, Piedmont
Fine Barbera from the famous single vineyard 'Vigna Pozzo': dark ruby red with violet inclusions in the glass. In the fragrance of ripe plums, chocolate and spicy herbs. On the palate, full of finesse, of particular density and fullness with grape variety-typical, memorable streak of acidity. - Gerardo [TS07/21]
€ 29,95 39,93 €/L
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Barbera | Grape variety | Buy at Gerardo
Barbera, also called the 'people's grape of piedmont', is a red grape variety grown in Piedmont, which has been cultivated in Monferrato since the Middle Ages. Today Barbera is widespread throughout Italy (mainly Piedmont), adaptable and high-yielding. The wines made from it are powerful, with relatively low tannin and tight acidity. Not much remains of the former surpluses of the 1980s, and winemakers now take great care of their Barbera. Some also like to grow this grape variety in wooden barrels (e.g. in small barrique barrels).
Already cultivated in the 13th century in Monferrato, the high-quality Barbera grape is now widespread throughout Italy. The powerful wines made from this autochthonous red grape variety are appreciated for their distinct fruity aromas. The Barbera grape today ranks third among the top Italian red wine varieties: right after Sangiovese and Montepulciano.
Sometimes the Barbera grape is also called 'the people's grape of Piedmont' because of its versatility and high yield. Barbera is still the most widespread grape variety in Piedmont, dominating the provinces of Asti and Alessandria, but the grape variety is also strongly present in the areas of Cuneo and Turin. The medium-sized pyramid-shaped, winged grapes with heavily ripened, blue-black berries are endowed with considerable acidity levels and are used in numerous wines, most of which are prestigious and can be aged for a long time. - Gerardo