Last Updated on November 5, 2023 by Lydia Martin
If you’re like me, then you can’t wait to try out the best Barbera wines this year. Get ready to electrify your taste buds with our list of the 15 Best Barberas to Drink in 2023. We’ve got you covered, from the bold and complex to the smooth and elegant.
So, grab your glass and get ready to discover the next big thing in the wine industry. But wait, there’s a twist. One of these wines has an unexpected surprise that will leave you wanting more. Can you guess which one?
The Must-Have Barberas
Vietti Barbera d’Alba Tre Vigne
ABV: 14.5% | REGION: Piedmont, Italy | PRICE: $20 USD to $30 USD
Vietti Barbera d’Alba Tre Vigne is made from a barbera grape grown in the Alba region of Piedmont, Northern Italy, which is renowned for producing high-quality wines. [1]
The wine is made from mountain fruit, which adds depth and complexity to the wine. It is matured for 14 months in oak barrels, which imparts rich flavors and texture to the wine.
We admire this wine for its fresh and vibrant style, with tasting notes of black cherry, plum, and spice.
Elio Grasso Barbera d’Alba Vigna Martina
ABV: 14% | REGION: Piedmont, Italy | PRICE: $45 USD to $50 USD
Elio Grasso Barbera d’Alba Vigna Martina is also made from a barbera grape grown in the Alba region of Piedmont, Italy, which is renowned for producing high-quality wines.
The wine is made from mountain fruit, which creates concentrated and complex flavors. It is ripened for 12 months in French oak kegs, adding depth and structure to the wine.
This barbera made the cut as we love its elegant and refined style, with tasting blackberry, plum, and vanilla notes.
Pio Cesare Barbera d’Alba Fides
ABV: 14% | REGION: Piedmont, Italy | PRICE: $35 USD to $50 USD
Pio Cesare Barbera d’Alba Fides is crafted from grapes sourced from the Fides vineyard in the Alba region of Piedmont, Italy, known for producing high-quality wines.
The wine is aged for 14 months in French oak barrels, adding complexity and depth to the wine.
After having a glass of this barbera, we noticed that it has an elegant and refined style, with tasting notes of dark fruit, spice, and hints of oak; these facts became our cue to include this in our barbera wine guide.
Giacomo Conterno Barbera d’Alba Cascina Francia
ABV: 14% | REGION: Piedmont, Italy | PRICE: $100 USD to $150 USD
Giacomo Conterno Barbera d’Alba Cascina Francia is made with grapes sourced from the Cascina Francia vineyard in the Alba region of Piedmont, Italy, which is known for producing high-quality wines.
The wine is aged for 18 months in large Slavonian oak barrels, adding complexity and depth to the wine.
The wine is known for its traditional and classic style, with tasting notes of dark fruit, spice, and earthy tones.
Paolo Scavino Barbera d’Alba
ABV: 14% | REGION: Piedmont, Italy | PRICE: $25 USD to $30 USD
Paolo Scavino Barbera d’Alba is manufactured with grapes sourced from the Alba region of Piedmont, Italy, known for producing high-quality wines.
The wine is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, adding complexity and depth to the wine. The wine is known for its modern and elegant style.
So, we didn’t hesitate to try this barbera on our own, and upon having a sip, tasting notes of dark fruit, spice, and floral tones stroked through our tongues and throats.
Prunotto Barbera d’Alba
ABV: 14% | REGION: Piedmont, Italy | PRICE: $20 USD to $30 USD
Prunotto Barbera d’Alba is made from grapes sourced from the Alba region of Piedmont, Italy, known for producing high-quality wines.
The wine is aged for 12 months in large oak barrels, adding complexity and depth to the wine while maintaining its traditional style.
This wine definitely made the cut because its bright acidity, rich dark fruit flavors, and hints of spice and tobacco are superior, making it a must-have barbera.
Fontanafredda Barbera d’Alba Briccotondo
ABV: 13.5% | REGION: Piedmont, Italy | PRICE: $15 USD to $20 USD
Fontanafredda Barbera d’Alba Briccotondo is crafted from barbera grapes from the Fontanafredda estate, located in the heart of the Langhe in Piedmont, Italy.
The wine is made from hand-harvested mountain fruit and is matured in stainless steel tanks for several months.
This winemaking approach preserves the freshness and fruitiness of the wine, resulting in a lively and juicy style. Because of this, we decided to have this bottle in our hands.
After having a drink of this Italian wine, we tasted notes of blackberry, raspberry, and hints of spice with a smooth and silky texture.
Marcarini Barbera d’Alba Ciabot Camerano
ABV: 14% | REGION: Piedmont, Italy | PRICE: $30 USD to $40 USD
Marcarini Barbera d’Alba Ciabot Camerano is one of the finest barbera wines made from grapes sourced from the steep, hillside vineyards in La Morra, one of the finest areas in the Piedmont region, and the wine is aged for 12-15 months in French oak barrels.
Honestly, it’s hard to pinpoint what we like about this wine because there are so many remarkable aspects to mention.
But we mostly admire this barbera’s full-bodied and rich style, with a deep ruby color, aromas of dark fruit, licorice, and spices, and a long finish.
Aldo Conterno Barbera d’Alba Conca Tre Pile
ABV: 14.5% | REGION: Piedmont, Italy | PRICE: $60 USD to $80 USD
Aldo Conterno Barbera d’Alba Conca Tre Pile is made with a barbera grape variety grown from the prestigious Conca Tre Pile vineyard in Monforte d’Alba, located in the heart of the Langhe region.
The vineyard is known for its high elevation and steep slopes, which provide ideal growing conditions for high-quality, concentrated grapes.
We commend this wine because it is aged in large oak barrels for 12-15 months, resulting in a complex and structured wine with aromas of dark fruit, chocolate, and spice.
Bruno Giacosa Barbera d’Alba
ABV: 14% | REGION: Piedmont, Italy | PRICE: $35 USD to $50 USD
Bruno Giacosa Barbera d’Alba is crafted from an exceptional location and vineyard site of Barbera d’Alba DOC, which are situated on steep, south-facing hillsides with optimal sun exposure. This results in concentrated, high-quality fruit with intense flavors and aromas.
The wine is produced using traditional winemaking methods, with aging in oak barrels that add complexity and structure.
We applaud this barbera’s elegant and refined style, with bright acidity and dark cherry, blackberry, and spice flavors.
Renato Ratti Barbera d’Asti Superiore Colombe
ABV: 14% | REGION: Piedmont, Italy | PRICE: $25 USD to $35 USD
Renato Ratti Barbera d’Asti Superiore Colombe comes from the Barbera d’Asti DOCG, known for producing high-quality Barbera wines.
The Colombe vineyard is located in the heart of the DOCG and yields grapes with excellent acidity and complexity, thanks to the calcareous soil and exposure to the sun.
The winemaking is traditional, aging in French oak barrels for 12-16 months. The resulting deep ruby color of this wine is one of the reasons why we love it!
However, its complex bouquet of red and black fruits, spices, and vanilla, and a full-bodied and elegant palate with soft tannins and a long finish definitely empowered our taste buds. Because of this, we didn’t think twice about including this barbera wine in our guide.
Michele Chiarlo Barbera d’Asti Superiore Nizza La Court
ABV: 14% | REGION: Piedmont, Italy | PRICE: $35 USD to $40 USD
Michele Chiarlo’s Barbera d’Asti Superiore Nizza La Court is known for its outstanding quality and excellent aging potential.
This wine comes from the Nizza DOCG appellation, a larger Barbera d’Asti region subzone known for its exceptional vineyards and strict production regulations.
The wine is made from hand-picked grapes and matured for 14 months in French oak kegs. We praise this wine’s elegant and refined style with hints of dark fruit, spices, and a hint of vanilla. It has a great structure and balance with a long, persistent finish.
La Spinetta Barbera d’Asti Superiore Bionzo
ABV: 14% | REGION: Piedmont, Italy | PRICE: $35 USD to $45 USD
La Spinetta Barbera d’Asti Superiore Bionzo is crafted in a vineyard located in the Asti area, known for producing some of the best Barbera wines, and the grapes are grown at high altitudes, resulting in complex and elegant wines. [2]
The winemakers employ traditional techniques, including aging the wine for 12 months in French oak barrels, which adds depth and twist to the wine.
After knowing how this barbera was made, we immediately got one for ourselves.
Upon pouring the wine, its deep ruby color caught our attention, with aromas of black cherry, spices, and vanilla.
On the palate, it is full-bodied, with a long and persistent finish, making it an ideal wine for pairing with rich and hearty dishes.
Coppo Barbera d’Asti Pomorosso
ABV: 14.5% | REGION: Piedmont, Italy | PRICE: $60 USD to $70 USD
Coppo Barbera d’Asti Pomorosso has exceptional quality, which stems from the winery’s experience and expertise in the production of barbera wines.
The wine is made from grapes grown in the Pomorosso vineyard, located in the Asti area of Piedmont, Italy, which is known for its unique terroir and optimal growing conditions for barbera.
We admire that this wine is aged for 14-16 months in French oak barrels. But the real reason this wine made the cut is that upon having a glass, it imparts a rich and complex flavor profile of dark fruit, spice, and subtle oak notes, tantalizing our taste buds.
The wine has a firm structure, balanced acidity, and a long finish, making it a perfect candidate for aging and improving in the bottle over the years.
Braida Barbera d’Asti Bricco dell’Uccellone
ABV: 14.5% | REGION: Piedmont, Italy | PRICE: $50 USD to $100 USD
Braida Barbera d’Asti Bricco dell’Uccellone is made in Asti DOCG, where the vineyards are situated on the slopes of the Monferrato hills.
The wine is made from old vines, and the mountain fruit is hand-harvested, fermented in steel tanks, and matured in new and used French oak barrels.
We like this wine as it boasts a rich, complex style with aromas of black fruits, chocolate, and spices and a velvety texture with a long finish.
Its aging potential is remarkable, with some vintages improving for over 10 years. Braida is a winery with a long history of making quality barbera wines, and their expertise is reflected in the consistently high quality of their Bricco dell’Uccellone.
FAQs
When should I drink Barbera wine?
Barbera wine is known for its versatility and can be enjoyed on an array of occasions. Generally, Barbera wine is meant to be consumed relatively young, within 2-5 years after the vintage, although some premium versions may age for 10-15 years or more.
The specific age of the wine also depends on the producer, the style of wine, and the grape-growing region. Barbera wines pair well with a range of foods, including pasta dishes, roasted meats, cheeses, and tomato-based sauces.
The wine’s bright and high acidity makes it an excellent match for acidic foods, while its fruit-forwardness also makes it a great option for casual sipping. The best time to serve Barbera wine is whenever you feel like enjoying a standard red wine glass!
How long can you age Barbera wine?
Barbera wine is known for its ability to age well, but the aging potential varies depending on the style and winemaking techniques used. Generally, Barbera wines can age for 5-10 years, with some higher quality wines having the potential to age even longer.
However, the aging potential ultimately depends on factors such as the grape variety, vineyard location, winemaking style, and storage conditions.
So, suppose you’re curious about the aging potential of a particular Barbera wine. In that case, it’s best to do some research and consult with a knowledgeable wine expert.
What is the difference between cabernet sauvignon and barbera?
Cabernet Sauvignon and Barbera are red wines that vary in several aspects, including their flavor profile, growing regions, and aging potential.
Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied red wine with higher tannins, acidity, and alcohol content than Barbera, and it is known for its intense flavors of black currant, blackberry, and oak.
On the other hand, Barbera is a medium-bodied red wine grown primarily in Northern Italy and characterized by its bright acidity, juicy red fruit flavors, and low tannins.
Barbera is generally considered a more approachable and food-friendly wine than Cabernet Sauvignon, and it is often enjoyed young, while Cabernet Sauvignon can age for many years.
References
- https://www.wine-searcher.com/grape-27-barbera
- https://www.la-spinetta.com/en/wines/barbera-dasti-superiore-docg-bionzo/
