The 2017 vintage of Barbera d'Asti is one of the most exciting wines to come out of Italy in recent years. This wine has been crafted with passion and precision, and its flavors are sure to delight even the most discerning palates.
Barbera d'Asti is primarily produced in the Piedmont region of Italy, where it has been cultivated for centuries. The 2017 vintage is made using 100% Barbera grapes, grown in the Asti province. The grapes are harvested by hand and left to macerate on their skins for a period of time before being fermented in stainless steel tanks. This process preserves the freshness and intensity of the fruit flavors, resulting in a vibrant and complex wine.
Upon first taste, you will be greeted with intense aromas of ripe cherries, plums, blackberries, and dark spices. The palate is full-bodied yet smooth and subtle, with juicy acidity that helps to balance out the ripe fruit flavors. It finishes with a long-lasting finish that lingers on the tongue.
This 2017 Barbera d'Asti is an excellent example of what Piedmont's Barbera grape can achieve when it is handled with care. Its balance between elegance and intensity make it a great choice for any occasion – whether you're loking for something to pair with food or simply enjoy on its own. We recommend serving it at cool room temperature so that all its nuances can be fully appreciated. Enjoy!
Difference Between Barbera and Barbera D'Asti
Barbera is an Italian red wine variety that is grown mainly in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy. Barbera d'Asti is a DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) wine made exclusively from Barbera grapes grown in the Asti province of Piedmont. It is typically lighter in body and has bright, tart fruit flavors. Barbera d'Alba, on the other hand, is a DOC wine made from Barbera grapes grown in the Alba province of Piedmont. It typically has a darker color and fuller body compared to Barbera d'Asti, as well as more intense and tangy fruit flavors..
The Taste of Barbera D'Asti
Barbera d'Asti is a unique and delightful wine that offers an intense, near-black appearance. On the palate, it is light-bodied with tart hints of raspberry, strawberry, and sour cherries. The finish is crisp and refreshing with a lingering hint of spice. This makes it an excellent choice to pair with food or to enjoy on its own.
Pairing Barbera D'Asti with Food
Barbera d'Asti is a medium-bodied, fruity red wine that pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes. Its tart cherry and plum flavors, combined with its bright acidity, make it an excellent match for rich dark meats like beef, lamb, and duck. It's also great with mushroom-based dishes like risotto and pasta dishes that feature earthy porcini mushrooms. Herbs like sage and rosemary add a subtly herbal note to the wine that helps bring out its fruitiness. Herbaceous cheeses like blue cheese also pair perfectly with Barbera d'Asti. To contrast the wine's bright acidity and light tannins, try serving it alngside higher tannin foods such as root vegetables or braised greens like kale and collards.
Is Asti Sweeter Than Prosecco?
Asti is a sweet sparkling Italian wine made from Moscato grapes. It is typically sweeter than Prosecco, which is a dry sparkling Italian wine made from Glera grapes. Asti has a light, fruity aroma and taste, with notes of peach and honey. The sweetness level of Asti depends on the winemaker's preference, but it usually ranges from medium-sweet to very sweet. On the oher hand, Prosecco tends to be drier and more refreshing with less dominant fruit flavors and aromas. While there are many sweeter versions of Prosecco available, they still tend to be less sweet than Asti.
Conclusion
The 2017 Barbera d'Asti is an incredibly satisfying wine that offers an intense and near-black colour with a light body. It has delightful notes of ripe strawberry, raspberry, and sour cherries that make it a surprising and delightful wine. With its good colour, high acidity, and soft tannins, this is the perfect wine for any occasion. The 2017 Barbera d'Asti is great value for money and can be enjoyed for up to 15 years. It's a wonderfully food-friendly Italian red that pairs well with many dishes, from pizza and pasta to charcuterie boards and grilled meats. Enjoy this delicious Barbera d'Asti today!
