BARBERA D'ALBA DOC

Barbera d’Alba is a red wine, made mainly with Barbera grape in Langhe and Roero area. Langhe is the famous area in Piedmont region (north – west of Italy) where great red wines like Barolo, Barbaresco are made. And Roero is right beside Langhe, and it’s the home of Roero DOCG, another great wine made with Nebbiolo grape, and Roero Arneis DOCG, one of the best white wine from Piedmont.

Langhe and Roero

Piedmont region

The consortium of Langhe wines decided that Barbera d’Alba DOC can be made only with the following grapes:

• Barbera (from 85 to 100%)
• Nebbiolo (from 0 to 15%)

Barbera d’Alba DOC must have at least 12% of alcohol, while Barbera d’Alba superiore DOC at least must have 12,5% of alcohol

Barbera grape has few and gentle tannins and a high acidity, so it’s quite easy to drink and to pair with food.

The color of a young Barbera d’Alba is ruby red, when aged it has more garnet reflexes. The bouquet is mainly fruity (blackberries, cherries, strawberries and fruit jam), while in mouth is dry, fresh, with a full body.

Many producers use small wooden barrels (barriques) for Barbera d’Alba Ageing, in order to attenuate the high acidity typical of the grape, , even though some acidity is fundamental to the type of wine and necessary for its balance and enjoyability.

It’s very easy to combine with food, perfect with pasta al ragù (with meat sauce), or risotto with mushrooms. Poultry, pork and red meat can also be a good partner of Barbera d’Alba.

It should be served in a medium size tulip glass at 16-18 °C

• LANGHE WINES