The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Piedmont

DOCStill huntingEasy

Barbera d'Alba DOC

Barbera grown by Barolo and Barbaresco producers, usually on sites not good enough for Nebbiolo, which makes it a byproduct and a bargain. Compared with Asti it's typically tighter and more tannic, with black cherry, plum, dried herbs and a bitter-chocolate note, and its high acidity makes it the Langhe's Tuesday-night wine. The best (Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia, Vietti Scarrone, Vajra) are serious and can age a decade.

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Bottles I'm chasing

ProducerWinePriceBuy
G.D. Vajra
Barbera d'Alba
Fresh, unoaked-feeling Barbera from a top Barolo house (Vias), blueberry, cherry and violet with snappy acid.
$20 to $25Wine-Searcher
Vietti
Barbera d'Alba 'Scarrone'
Barbera from a Castiglione Falletto vineyard that could grow Barolo; dense black fruit, tar and mineral length.
$40 to $50Wine-Searcher
Giacomo Conterno
Barbera d'Alba 'Cascina Francia'
The most serious Barbera in Italy, from Serralunga; structured, savory, ages 15 years; Polaner imports.
$80 to $110Wine-Searcher