Variety
RedBarbera
Piedmont's everyday hero – juicy acidity, low tannin, dark fruit. Elevated to greatness by Braida's Bricco dell'Uccellone; Nizza DOCG is its summit.
Portrait
Barbera is one of Italy's most planted red varieties and is at home in Piemont, especially in the Asti and Monferrato areas and in the Langhe. Its origin probably lies in the Monferrato, where it is documented since the 17th century. Barbera d'Asti, Barbera d'Alba and Barbera del Monferrato have their own appellations.
The vine buds early, ripens mid-season to late and gives high yields. It has little tannin but plenty of acidity and prefers calcareous marl and sandy soils. With reduced yields and barrique ageing, dense wines with sour cherry, plum and spice result. Traditionally the wine is drunk young and fresh.
Barbera goes with pasta with meat sauce, salami, mushroom dishes and medium-strength cheese and is the classic everyday wine of Piemont.
Taste profile
Six axes — acidity, sweetness, body, tannin, aroma intensity and depth — on a 0–5 scale, based on typical style. Real wines vary by region and producer.
Typical aromas — Barbera
These 6 aromas typically define Barbera. Actual taste experience varies by region and style.
Sour cherry
Blackberry
Plum
Vanilla
Pepper
Herbs
Barbera aroma families
These aroma categories are characteristic of Barbera. Other varieties have different focuses.
Fruit aromas are the most common and come directly from the grape, ranging from citrus through stone fruit to black berries.
Spicy aromas often emerge from oak aging (vanilla, clove) or with maturity (black pepper).
Wood and toast aromas emerge from aging in oak barriques or larger wooden barrels.
Tertiary aromas that develop with bottle aging – typical of mature top wines.
Key regions
Barbera is grown in the following regions of our atlas. Click to see wineries.
Wineries with Barbera
72 curated profiles in our atlas grow Barbera.
72 wineries
Gaja
Barbaresco · Barbaresco
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon
Bartolo Mascarello
Barolo · Barolo
Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbera
Bruno Giacosa
Barbaresco · Neive
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio
Barolo · Monchiero
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
Giuseppe Rinaldi
Barolo · Barolo
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
Giacomo Conterno
Barolo · Monforte d'Alba
Nebbiolo, Barbera
Roagna
Barbaresco · Barbaresco
Nebbiolo, Barbera
Aldo Conterno
Barolo · Monforte d'Alba
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Chardonnay
Cantina Vietti
Barolo · Castiglione Falletto
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Arneis