Guido Berta Barbera d'Asti 2016
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Bright on the nose, with plenty of floral and ripe strawberry aromas. The fresh and focused palate features notes of juicy fruit and summer berries with clean acidity and a subtle herbal finish.
Now working out of a freshly-minted winemaking cellar on the property, Guido Berta works according to the sustainable agriculture dictates of the lotta integrata, however he has already started the process of converting all his vineyards to organic farming. Already, one can see the results of this natural agriculture in the vigor of his vines and the lush carpet of fertile grasses and legumes between rows. While more labor intensive and risk-prone, Guido feels strongly that the vineyards must be pure, given that he himself is working in them every day, not to mention his young children.
A precious, family-owned and -run Monferrato estate, producing artisanal, well-priced wines from the classic varieties of this storied region: Cascina Guido Berta.
Friendly and approachable, 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; those from Asti and Alba garner the most praise. Barbera actually can adapt to many climates and enjoys success in some New World regions. Somm Secret—In the past it wasn’t common or even accepted to age Barbera in oak but today both styles—oaked and unoaked—abound and in fact most Piedmontese producers today produce both styles.
Recognized as the source of the best Barbera in all of Italy, Asti is a province (as well as major city) in Piedmont, consisting of a gentle, rolling landscape with vineyards, farmland and forests alternating throughout.
Barbera d’Asti can be made in an array of styles from relatively straightforward, fruity and ready for consumption early, to the more concentrated, oak aged version with an ability to cellar impressively for 10-15 years and beyond. Some of the very best sites for Barbera in Asti are concentrated in the subzone of Nizza Monferrato. Other red varieties grown here include Freisa, Grignolino and Dolcetto, which can be bottled varietally or blended into Barbera.
Historically consumers commonly associated the Asti region with Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti, both playful, aromatic, sparkling wines made from the Muscat grape. Asti Spumante is less sweet, fully fizzy and more alcoholic (yet still clocking in at only around 9% alcohol) while Moscato d’Asti is sweeter, gently sparkling (“frizzante”) and closer to 5 or 6% alcohol. Each is produced in stainless steel tanks to preserve the fresh and fruity flavors of the grape, often including peach, apricot, lychee and rose petal. Asti is also the spot for the pink-hued Brachetto d'Acqui, a slightly sparkling wine ready to charm with its raspberry and rose flavors and aromas.