Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesThe charming Ada Nada 2016 Barbera d'Alba Pierin opens to a robust and saturated appearance that sets an inviting, food-friendly tone, especially with a pasta and meat ragù. The wine offers dark fruit intensity with blackberry and summer cherry, offset by a point of toasted almond or spice. Fresh acidity on the close is perfect for breaking through any oil or cheese in your favorite foods.
The history of this family business began long ago in 1919. Today Ada Nada is run by Annalisa, fourth generation, and her husband Elvio. Elvio personally takes care of the vineyards, almost as if they were gardens, and Giancarlo (3rd generation) continues to follow and better the wine production, while Annalisa runs the agriturismo with great enthusiasm, spoiling her guests.
The welcoming agriturismo arose in 1997 when the family farmhouse was restored and tastefully filled with the period original furniture and detail. Here, guests can relax admiring the luscious countryside, go for walks among the vineyards, or go trekking along the signed paths.
An historic village situated right in between the famous regions of Barolo and Barbaresco, Alba is also the name for the larger wine region surrounding the village.
In a sense, “Alba” is a catch-all phrase, and includes the declassified Nebbiolo wines made in Barolo and Barbaresco, as well as the Nebbiolo grown just outside of these regions’ borders. In fact, Nebbiolo d’Alba is a softer, less tannic and more fruit-forward wine ready to drink within just a couple years of bottling. It is a great place to start if you want to begin to understand the grape. Likewise, the even broader category of Langhe Nebbiolo offers approachable and value-driven options as well.
Barbera, planted alongside Nebbiolo in the surrounding hills, and referred to as Barbera d’Alba, takes on a more powerful and concentrated personality compared to its counterparts in Asti.
Dolcetto is ubiquitous here and, known as Dolcetto d'Alba, can be found casually served alongside antipasti on the tables of Alba’s cafes and wine bars.
Not surprisingly, given its location, Alba is recognized as one of Italy’s premiere culinary destinations and is the home of the fall truffle fair, which attracts visitors from worldwide every year.
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.