This is Barbera wearing a slightly darker dress. Expect notes of blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry across the nose and palate, where the latter bears all of the hallmarks we can come to expect from this grape, it is soft, smooth, silky and supple.

Origin: Piedmont, Italy. Mainly Grown In: Italy, with small plantings in USA. Key Facts: Barbera is undoubtedly at home in Piedmont, northwest Italy where it plays the lead role in the famous wines of Barbera d’Alba and Barbera d’Asti. Sadly, Barbera lurks in the shadows behind the region’s most prized grape variety: Nebbiolo. However, of late, a new DOCG (appellation) was initiated called ‘Nizza’, to celebrate the world-class potential of this fabulous grape variety. Barbera is one of Italy’s ‘big five’ red grapes in terms of plantings and area under vine, falling short only to Sangiovese, Montepulciano and (believe it or not) Merlot. A typical Barbera will deliver fresh red fruit and soft, silky tannins. The aforementioned Nizza wines made from Barbera will see some oak that stiffens up this grape variety's naturally soft structure, giving it a slightly more rustic character and complexity. Fun Fact: There are now around 7,000 acres of Barbera planted in the USA.