
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.
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Pio Cesare Barbera d'Alba 2005Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
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Vietti Barbera d'Alba Tre Vigne 2005Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
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La Spinetta Barbera d'Asti Superiore Bionzo 2005Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
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La Spinetta Barbera d'Alba Gallina 2005Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
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Marchesi di Barolo Maraia Barbera di Monferrato 2005Barbera from Piedmont, Italy
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Michele Chiarlo Le Orme Barbera d'Asti 2005Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
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Jacuzzi Barbera 2005Barbera from Carneros, California
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Marchesi di Barolo Barbera d'Alba Ruvei 2005Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
- W&S
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Beni di Batasiolo Barbera d'Alba 2005Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
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Vietti Barbera d'Alba Scarrone 2005Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
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Vietti Barbera d'Asti Tre Vigne 2005Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
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Bruno Giacosa Barbera d'Alba 2005Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
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Boroli Quattro Fratelli Barbera d'Alba 2005Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
- W&S
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Tamas Estates Barbera 2005Barbera from Central Coast, California
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Pio Cesare Fides Barbera d'Alba 2005Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
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Coppo Camp du Rouss Barbera d'Asti 2005Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
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Prunotto Fiulot Barbera d'Asti 2005Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
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Sebastiani Barbera 2005Barbera from Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California
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Scott Harvey Mountain Selection Barbera 2005Barbera from Amador, Sierra Foothills, California
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Cossetti Winery Barbera d'Asti La Vigna Vecchia 2005Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
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Easton Barbera 2005Barbera from Shenandoah Valley, Sierra Foothills, California
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Bruna Grimaldi Scassa Barbera d'Alba 2005Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
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Boeger El Dorado Barbera 2005Barbera from El Dorado, Sierra Foothills, California
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Brezza Barbera d'Alba Cannubi 2005Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
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Reverdito Barbera d'Alba Delia 2005Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy