The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Piedmont

DOCStill huntingEasy

Barbera d'Alba DOC

IL PROGETTODOCBARBERA D'ALBAAAIT86687130Denominazione di Origine Controllata

No strip issued. I'm still hunting a bottle.

Barbera grown by Barolo and Barbaresco producers, usually on sites not good enough for Nebbiolo, which makes it a byproduct and a bargain. Compared with Asti it's typically tighter and more tannic, with black cherry, plum, dried herbs and a bitter-chocolate note, and its high acidity makes it the Langhe's Tuesday-night wine. The best (Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia, Vietti Scarrone, Vajra) are serious and can age a decade.

Still hunting

I'm still looking for a bottle of this.

If you make Barbera d'Alba, import it, or know who does, the form takes two minutes and I reply to every one.

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Bottles I'm chasing

  • G.D. Vajra

    Barbera d'Alba

    Fresh, unoaked-feeling Barbera from a top Barolo house (Vias), blueberry, cherry and violet with snappy acid.

    $20 to $25Wine-Searcher
  • Vietti

    Barbera d'Alba 'Scarrone'

    Barbera from a Castiglione Falletto vineyard that could grow Barolo; dense black fruit, tar and mineral length.

    $40 to $50Wine-Searcher
  • Giacomo Conterno

    Barbera d'Alba 'Cascina Francia'

    The most serious Barbera in Italy, from Serralunga; structured, savory, ages 15 years; Polaner imports.

    $80 to $110Wine-Searcher