If you haven’t heard of the barbera grape, don’t feel bad because neither had I until recently. Barbera is one of many native Italian grape varieties and thinking about the over 1,000 different grapes that call Italy their home is overwhelming. Well at least we’ll never run out of material for our podcast. Seriously though, wine plays a big role in Italian culture and food. The Italians have a saying, In vino veritas, which mean “In wine there is truth,” and our true today is barbera.
The Italians have a saying, In vino veritas, meaning “In wine there is truth.”
Barbera comes from the Piedmont area of Italy surrounded by the Alps on three sides and bordered by France and Switzerland. You might recognize wines such as Moscato d’Asti, Nebbiolo and Barolo but this area makes some young and fruity wines from the barbera grape. So we hope you enjoy learning about Piedmont and barbera. Cheers!
Beautiful view in the city of Mondovi in Piedmont
Here is the barbera grape and as you can see is dark color (almost black)
In this episode we discuss:
- Piedmont region of Italy
- Piedmont’s geography and climate
- History of the barbera grape
- Where the barbera grape grows and how it thrives
- Flavor characteristics of Italian barbera wine
- Food pairings
Wine Recommendations:
Marchesi di Barolo Ruvei Barbera d’Alba 2014 – priced around $17
- Aromas of blackberry, violets, cherry, spice, and vanilla
- Dry, medium body, medium plus acidity, medium tannins
- Flavors of dark berries, plum, Dried herbs, baking spices, cocoa
- Can drink from 2-6 years after vintage
Damilano Barbera d’Asti 2014 – priced around $17
- Nose of Berries & Gravel
- Dry, Medium body, medium plus acidity, and lighter tannins
- Flavors of berries, plum hints of flowers, graphite, cocoa & vanilla
- Youthful & fruity, fun (not too serious)
Sources
Books: The World Atlas of Wine, 7th Edition
Websites: Winefolly Wikipedia Vinepair Winesearcher
Pictures: Feature image – Damilano Wine Company, Barbera grape – Wikimedia Commons, Photo of Mondovi – Pixabay
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