Barbera is an unfortunately overlooked red grape/wine from the Piedmont region of Italy. But it’s SO tasty. Plenty of fruit but also high acidity, making it a quintessential food pairing experience. You’ll find Barberas from the Asti sub region, which often have often a more feminine style (due to the soil structure in that region) and the Alba sub region, producing the yin, masculine version. Barberas from Asti, as a general rule, appeal more to my taste. And this Asti from Vietti kinda rocked my world.
Family-owned Vietti winery dates back to the 1800’s and was one of the first to export their wines to the US market. All of their wines are single-vineyard, declaring that vineyards possess their own personalities, in this case Tre Vigne. (My feelings on single vineyard wines). For more about Vietti, check out their website.
Their incredibly inexpensive 2007 Barbera d’Asti Tre Vigne is loaded with concentrated red fruits of stewed strawberries and ripe cherries but also a few surprises like cola and plum. Medium-bodied, elegant and sports some tart acidity, especially on the finish. Some oak but refreshingly restrained — a hint of well-integrated vanilla to round out this pretty incredible wine.
Sweetness: 1 out of 10
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Price: $16 – $20
Where tasted: Blind tasted at a wine party
Availability: Independent wine shops and online at Wine.com
Food pairing: Hearty soups, roasted herbed chicken, pasta with tomato/meat sauce
