Winemaker Notes
Barbera is a variety that hails from Piedmont in the Northwest corner of Italy. Although packed with character, it often plays 'second fiddle' to the more noble and pensive Nebbiolo for the same region. Filled zest with and juiciness, Barbera grapes yield a wine that satisfies much of northern Italy's thirst for a delicious daily drinker.
Giornata's goal with the variety is to craft a light-bodied wine that is at once pleasurable but also intriguing. In order to achieve this, relatively high yields are encouraged in the vineyard and the resulting wine is aged for only a few months before bottling in late Winter or early Spring. This captures the exuberant, juicy and fresh fruit character of perfectly ripe Barbera. After a vineyard sort, the Barbera is destemmed and left to ferment naturally and pressed right when dry. The resulting wine is aged in stainless steel for a short time and bottled young to preserve the freshness and vibrancy inherent in the grape.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Equal parts fun and serious, the 2023 Barbera opens with a poised nose that balances fresh, bright cherry and licorice aromas with dried flowers and herbs. The palate is energetic, high-toned and bright, finishing with a beautiful harmony between juicy, pretty fruit flavors and earth-tinged charm.
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.