
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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Braida Bricco dell' Uccellone Barbera d'Asti 2016Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
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Paolo Conterno La Ginestra Barbera d'Alba 2016Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
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La Spinetta Barbera d'Asti Ca Di Pian 2016Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
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Enrico Serafino Barbera d'Alba 2016Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
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Aldo Conterno Conca Tre Pile Barbera d'Alba 2016Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
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Sottimano Barbera d'Alba Pairolero 2016Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
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Paolo Scavino Affinato in Carati Barbera d'Alba 2016Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
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Vietti Barbera d'Asti Tre Vigne 2016Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
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Elio Altare Barbera d'Alba 2016Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
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E. Pira e Figli Barbera d'Alba 2016Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
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Marchesi di Barolo Barbera d'Alba Ruvei 2016Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
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Sandrone Barbera d'Alba 2016Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
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Matteo Correggia Barbera d'Alba 2016Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
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Marchesi di Barolo Maraia Barbera di Monferrato 2016Barbera from Piedmont, Italy
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Vietti Barbera d'Alba Tre Vigne 2016Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
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Tiamo Barbera 2016Barbera from Italy
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McManis Family Vineyards Barbera 2016Barbera from California
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Ca'Viola Brichet Barbera d'Alba 2016Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
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Castelvero Barbera 2016Barbera from Piedmont, Italy
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Paitin Barbera d'Alba Serra 2016Barbera from Alba, Piedmont, Italy
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Casa Smith Cervo Barbera 2016Barbera from Washington
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Lava Cap Barbera 2016Barbera from El Dorado, Sierra Foothills, California
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Fiddletown Reserve Barbera 2016Barbera from Sierra Foothills, California
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Guido Berta Barbera d'Asti 2016Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
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Pico Maccario Lavignone Barbera D'Asti 2016Barbera from Asti, Piedmont, Italy
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