Beautiful day in the city to enjoy Barbera

 Beautiful day in the city to enjoy Barbera #nizzamonferrato

Snappy, fruity Barbera is the perfect companion to decadent, rich Piedmontese fonduta with poached eggs

 Snappy, fruity Barbera is the perfect companion to

With its array of flavours, acidic backbone and versatility, Barbara d’Asti is generally regarded as the ultimate expression of the Barbara grape.

The majority of vineyards are sustainably farmed, with the majority of producers heading towards organic production.

This is an area where the winemakers live and work on their property, with the intention of preserving it for future generations.

Barbera ranges in style from fresh and easy drinking to complex, age worthy and powerful.

It expresses fresh, red fruits [cherry, raspberry, black cherry] and in warmer vintages hits plum notes.

Baking spice, licorice and warm, earthy notes round out the palate.

If wood aged, flavours of tobacco, chocolate, leather, earthy underbrush, forest floor and even more spice will be displayed.

 With its array of flavours, acidic backbone and

Fresh, snappy Barbara d’Asti complimenting rich, dense potato flan

 Fresh, snappy Barbara d’Asti complimenting rich, dense

Aromas of cherry and a hint of floral. Cherry, black pepper and anise are framed by bright acidity and smooth, soft tannins. Cherry and spice return on the dry finish. Straightforward, a lovely glugable sip with pizza and pastas. [It was fantastic with potato, smoked scamorza, brie and rosemary pizza.] 100% Barbera

 Aromas of cherry and a hint of floral. Cherry, black pepper

Andrea Scovero is the 4th generation of his family to farm grapes in the hills of Costigliole d’Asti, 7 miles south of the town of Asti in Piemonte.

Andrea credits his grandfather with teaching him everything he knows about winemaking, and he is passionate about crafting wines made in the style of his grandparents.

Fermented on the skins with native yeasts for 25 days in steel tanks, aged “some months” in large terracotta jars, unfined and unfiltered.

Inky red violet in colour, with aromas of wild berries, baked plum, roasted chipotle pepper, scrape of vanilla bean and a wisp of Edwin Starr funk.

Rich blackberry, blueberry, plum, black cherry and morello cherry drape over a framework of robust tannins, fresh acidity and a spicy core.

Dark fruit, espresso and an earthy mineral streak linger between each plush sip.

Succulent, velvety, a luscious expression of Barbera.

Andrea Scovero ‘Amphora’ Barbera d’Asti DOCG 2016

 Andrea Scovero is the 4th generation of his family to farm

Gran Passione Barbera d’Asti Superiore DOCG 2014

Bright ruby red in colour with aromas of strawberry, cherry and wildflowers. Light and fruity with cherry, strawberry, raspberry, pomegranate and a shake of white pepper framed by fresh acidity. A streak of red current shines bright on the tart, fruity finish, keeping you reaching for more. Easy going, friendly and made for food, fantastic with a wide variety of dishes.

 Gran Passione Barbera d’Asti Superiore DOCG 2014 Bright

Bestowed with the number one spot on Wine Enthusiast Magazine ‘The Enthusiast Best Wines of 2018’, Barbera is experiencing a revolution.

I had the fantastic opportunity to attend the ‘Barbera Revolution’ Master Class and unveiling of the 2016 vintage of Barbera d’Asti.

The class was curated by author and Italian Wine Editor for Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Kerin O’Keefe and President of the Consorzio Tutela Barbera d’Asti e Vini del Monferrato, Filippo Mobrici.

Held at Foro Boario Pio Corsi, in Nizza, Monferrato, the heart of the Asti region, 19 wines from the 2016 vintage representing Barbera d’Asti DOC, DOCG and Superiore were presented.

 Bestowed with the number one spot on Wine Enthusiast

Andrea Scovero is the 4th generation of his family to farm grapes in the hills of Costigliole d'Asti, 7 miles south of the town of Asti in Piemonte.

Organically farmed, hand harvested grapes are from the ‘Ciapin’ vineyard, with clay, sand and limestone soils.

Spontaneous fermentation for 25 days with the skins in stainless steel tanks, before gentle pressing, followed by aging in stainless steel until bottling in April 2018.

Inky red violet in colour with aromas of black cherry, grape, plum, menthol and baking spice.

Ripe cherry, raspberry, blackberry and black cherry with a dusting of crushed black peppercorn glide over a backbone of firm tannins and fresh acidity.

Dark fruit, earth and a trace of espresso linger on the lengthy finish.

Plush and round, yet with a powerful character.

Andrea Scovero ‘Ciapin’ Barbera d’Asti DOCG 2017

The Prunotto estate was founded in 1923 by renowned winemaker Alfredo Prunotto. Alfredo worked for the most prestigious wineries of the time, following WWII he and his wife restored an old cooperative winery located in Alba, midway between Barolo and Barbaresco, on the right side of the Tanaro River.

In 1989, the Antinori family purchased the 55 hectare estate, intent on continuing the “excellent level of quality so sought after by Alfredo Prunotto”. _

Red violet in colour with aromas of black cherry, chocolate, candied violet, licorice, earthy underbrush and spice.

Black cherry, black currant and plum drape around a pepper spice core, accented by black tea tannins and bright acidity.

Tangy red currant, pomegranate, tobacco, licorice and spice linger on the lengthy finish.

Barbera [I could not verify percentage, by DOCG law it must be at least 90% Barbera.] 14% Alcohol

Prunotto ‘Fiulot’ Barbera d’Asti DOCG 2017

 The Prunotto estate was founded in 1923 by renowned

It’s been a fantastic year of discovery; for both new wines and new friends.

I’m very grateful to have enjoyed so many engaging, expressive wines.

I’m not surprised at the gems that have made it to the best nine.