Barbera

Pronunciation:

/barbˈɛra/

Voice File:

Synonym(s):

Barber a Raspo
Barbera a Peduncolo
Barbera Amaro
Barbera Crna
Barbera Forte
Barbera Mercantile
Barbera Nera
Barbera Nostrana
Barbera Riccia
Barbera Rissa
Barbera Rosa
Barbera Vera
Barberone
Barbexinis
Besgano
Cosses Barbusen
Gaietto
Lombardesca
Sciaa
Pignatello
Ughetta

COLOUR:

Red

Interesting Facts:

One of Italy’s top five most cultivated grapes and the third most planted red variety, Barbera stands distinguished by its deep purple hue, the darkest among Piedmont grapes.
This vigorous and resilient grape displays exceptional drought resistance, often yielding abundant harvests. Notably, Giacomo Bologna pioneered the use of new oak barriques to craft high-quality Barbera wines.
However, Barbera’s history also includes its involvement in the methanol scandal of 1986.
Frequently confused with other varieties such as Barbera Del Sannio (Campania), Barbera Sarda (Sardegna), Barberùn (Piemonte), Mammolo, Neretto Duro, and Perricone (Sicilia).

Where Can I Find It (Sub-Region, Region, Country):

All regions of Italy
California, Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Washington, USA
Greece
Croatia
Romania
Slovenia
Mexico
Brazil
Chile
Argentina
Uruguay
South Africa
Australia

Map of historic hometown

What To Expect:

Traditionally, Barbera wines are characterized by their vibrant fruitiness, elevated acidity, and deep purple hues that remain pronounced even with aging. They boast a distinct aroma of red fruits, under-bush, and subtle spices, culminating in a notably dry finish.

Thanks to its high acidity, Barbera is exceptionally versatile with food pairings.

The renowned Barbera d’Alba DOC epitomizes a fuller-bodied, richer, and velvety expression, whereas Lombardy‘s Oltrepo Pavese region crafts a fresher and more vinous style. Wines from Emilia Romagna tend to exhibit a slightly coarser profile in comparison.

Visual Flavour Profiles: