
Barbera
Learn about Barbera — taste profile, popular regions and more ...
Friendly, approachable and full of juicy red fruit, Barbera produces wines in a wide range of styles, from youthful, fresh and fruity to serious, structured and age-worthy. Piedmont is the most famous source of Barbera, but it is also planted in a few nearby Italian provinces and remains one of the most widely planted varieties in the country. Barbera actually can adapt to many climates and enjoys success in California—particularly in the Sierra Foothills—and some southern hemisphere wine regions.
Tasting Notes for Barbera
Barbera is a dry, red wine typically marked by flavors of red cherry, raspberry or blackberry. Warmer sites produce Barberas with intensely ripe fruit and complex notes of cocoa, savory spice, anise and nutmeg. Cooler sites will produce a lighter Barbera with more finesse and intriguing notes of cranberry, graphite, smoke, lavender and violet.
Perfect Food Pairings for Barbera
Barbera’s prominent acidity makes it a natural match with tomato-based dishes, so it an easy pairing with a wide array of Italian cuisine. It works just as well with lighter red meat dishes, hamburgers or barbecue.
Sommelier Secrets for Barbera
In the past it wasn’t common or even accepted to age Barbera in oak but today both styles—oaked and unoaked—abound, at least in Piedmont. In fact, many Piedmontese producers today still make a deliciously pure, fruity and unoaked version, intended for earlier consumption. The wine world didn't realize Barbera's potential until Giacomo Bologna's debut of the barrique-aged Barbera called Bricco dell’Uccellone in Asti in the 1960s. Many of the better bottlings of Piemontese Barbera can age gracefully for 10-15 years or more.
- Cabernet Sauvignon786
- Pinot Noir466
- Syrah/Shiraz436
- Other Red Blends410
- Merlot397
- Bordeaux Red Blends370
- Sangiovese254
- Zinfandel200
- Rhône Blends195
- Tempranillo179
- Nebbiolo158
- Barbera47
- Other Red Wine46
- Grenache40
- Petite Sirah35
- Tuscan Blends32
- Cabernet Franc29
- Gamay29
- Malbec25
- Mourvedre14
- Montepulciano11
- Pinotage11
- Aglianico9
- Carmenere9
- Dolcetto8
- Negroamaro6
- Nero d'Avola6
- Primitivo6
- Bonarda2
- Carignan2
- Corvina2
- Valdiguie2
- Gaglioppo2
- Petit Verdot1
- Pinot Meunier1
- Agiorgitiko1
- Alicante Bouschet1
- Bobal1
- Mencia1
- Sagrantino1
- Teroldego1
-
Tamas Estates Barbera 2001Barbera from Central Coast, California
-
Montevina Barbera 2001Barbera from Sierra Foothills, California
-
Michele Chiarlo Le Orme Barbera d'Asti 2001Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
-
Vietti Barbera d'Alba Scarrone Vigna Vecchia 2001Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
-
Seghesio Barbera 2001Barbera from Sonoma County, California
-
Renwood Winery Sierra Series Barbera 2001Barbera from Sierra Foothills, California
-
Luigi Coppo Barbera d'Asti Camp Du Rous 2001Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
-
Bruno Giacosa Barbera d'Alba 2001Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
-
Beni di Batasiolo Barberad'Alba 2001Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
-
Coppo L'Avvocata Barbera d'Asti 2001Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
-
Marchesi di Barolo Barbera d'Alba Ruvei 2001Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
-
Vietti Barbera d'Alba Tre Vigne 2001Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
-
Coppo Camp du Rouss Barbera d'Asti 2001Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
-
Renwood Winery Amador County Barbera 2001Barbera from Sierra Foothills, California
- WE
-
Vietti Barbera d'Asti Tre Vigne 2001Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
-
Prunotto Fiulot Barbera d'Asti 2001Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
-
Michele Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti La Court 2001Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
-
Quorum Barbera d'Asti 2001Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
-
Antiche Cantine Brema di Brema Ermanno e C. S.N.C. Barbera d'Asti Volpettona Superiore 2001Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
-
Castello del Poggio Barbera d'Asti Buneis 2001Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
-
Filippo Gallino Barbera d'Alba Superiore 2001Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
-
E. Pira e Figli Barbera d'Alba 2001Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
-
Tenuta Garetto Fava Barbera d'Asti 2001Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
-
Marenco Bassina Barbera d'Asti 2001Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
-
Tenuta Garetto Barbera d'Asti In Pectore 2001Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy