W3 Wine School

Famous Italian Grapes

Barbera

Barbera Grapes

Barbera is a red wine grape from Piemonte in Italy.

Barbera Flavors

Red Berry flavors are typical for Barbera.

Hints of Minerals, Herbs, Roses, and Spices.

Red Currant
Red Currant
Raspberry
Raspberry
Cherry
Cherry
Plum
Blackberry
Mineral
Minerals
Herbs
Herbs
Roses
Roses
Spices
Spices

About Barbera

In Italy, Barbera is the the 4th most planted red grape after Sangiovese, Montepulciano, and Merlot.

It is known for deep color, good body, low tannins and high acidity.

The Barbera grape probably originates from Monferrato. Papers from 1246, found in the Cathedral of Casale Monferrato, describes planting in the Monferrato vineyards.

The people of Piemonte have always enjoyed their famous tannic red wines Barolo, and Barbaresco. But their traditional everyday wines are Dolcetto and Barbera.

Both are light and soft and can be drunk young, due to nice acidity and soft tannins.

Barbera is the most-planted red grape variety in Piemonte.

When it comes to Barbera, there are two important areas (cities): Alba and Asti. The wines from Asti (Barbera d'Asti) tends to be fruitier and lighter than the wines from Alba (Barbera d'Alba).

The hills around Alba are famous for the production of Nebbiolo wines (Barolo and Barbaresco), and this reflects in Barbera d'Alba that tends get a little oak treatment during vinification.

List of Barbera Denominations

DOC(G)Spesification
Barbera d’Alba
DOC 1970
Communes in
Cuneo / Alba
Min. 85% Barbera
12.0% Alcohol
Barbera d’Alba Superiore
DOC 1970
Communes in
Cuneo / Alba
Min. 85% Barbera
12.5% Alcohol
Min 12 months Aging
4 months in Barrel
Barbera del Monferrato
DOC 1970
Communes in
Alessandria / Asti
85% Barbera
+ Freisa, Grignolino, Dolcetto
12.0% Alcohol
No Minimum Aging
Barbera del Monferrato Superiore
DOC 1970 - DOCG 2008
Communes in
Alessandria / Asti
85% Barbera
+ Freisa, Grignolino, Dolcetto
13.0% Alcohol
Min 14 months Aging
6 months in Barrel
Barbera d’Asti
DOC 1970 - DOCG 2008
Communes in
Alessandria / Asti
90% Barbera
12.0% Alcohol
Min 4 months Aging
Barbera d’Asti Superiore
DOCG 2008
Communes in
Alessandria / Asti
90% Barbera
12.0% Alcohol
Min 14 months Aging
6 months in Barrel
Langhe Barbera
DOC 2010
54 Communes in Cuneo
85% Barbera
12.0% Alcohol
Min 5 months Aging
Nizza
DOCG 2014
18 Communes in Asti
100% Barbera
13.0% Alcohol
Min 18 months Aging
6 months in Barrel
Nizza Riserva
DOCG 2014
18 Communes in Asti
100% Barbera
13.5% Alcohol
Min 30 months Aging
12 months in Barrel

Wine Region Piemonte

Piemonte

Black Grapes

White Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon

30% Barbera
15% Dolcetto
10% Nebbiolo
  1% Vespolina

Sauvignon

20% Moscato
  4% Cortese
  2% Arneis
  1% Timorasso


Red Wines

White Wines

Red Wine

Barbaresco
Barbera
Barbera Nizza
Barbera Superiore
Barolo
Brachetto
Dolcetto
Langhe Dolcetto
Dolcetto Dogliani
Freisa
Nebbiolo
Langhe Nebbiolo
Gattinara
Ruchè
Terre Alfieri
Vespolina
Nebbiolo Rosato

White Wine

Arneis
Cortese di Gavi
Favorita
Langhe Rossese
Roero Arneis
Terre Alfieri Arneis
Timorasso


Dessert Wines

Sparkling Wines

Aperol

Aperol
Campari
Cinzano Bianco
Cinzano Rosso
Brachetto d'Acqui
Martini Bianco
Martini Rosso

Sparkling Wine

Alta Langa
Asti Spumante
Moscato d'Asti
Barbera Frizzante
Brachetto Frizzante
Brachetto Spumante

Soil

Climate

Soil

Lime-Rich.
Calcareous Marl.

Soil

Cool/Mild Continental.
Hot and Dry Summers.
Cold and Wet Winters.
Rainy / Foggy Sping.


DOCG Regions in Piemonte


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