Alba DOC

A little-used DOC created in 2010 for the traditional Langhe blend of Nebbiolo and Barbera, the kind of wine growers made for themselves before single-variety bottlings took over. On paper it is a good idea: Barbera's acidity and dark fruit fill in Nebbiolo's mid-palate, giving a cherry and plum red with rose and tar over a softer tannic frame. In practice only about ten producers have ever registered it and most sell the blend as Langhe Rosso instead. Expect to search hard.