Barbera d’Asti Superiore DOCG 2023, Valle Asinari

The Barbera d’Asti Superiore DOCG 2023 Bio Cascina Valle Asinari is a powerful and elegant organic red wine from Piedmont, Italy, offering a complex bouquet of ripe dark fruits, spices, and mineral notes.

Tasting Notes and Aromas

• Colour: It has an intense ruby red colour, sometimes with violet reflections.
• Nose: The bouquet is described as imposing and complex, with intense aromas of ripe fruit (blackberry, black cherry, plum) and a notable spiciness, with notes of liquorice and vanilla. Hints of dried lavender and subtle mineral notes can also be present.
• Palate: This is a full-bodied, powerful, and round wine with a solid structure and a long, persistent finish. It is characterized by vibrant acidity (a hallmark of the Barbera grape) and a pleasant saline or mineral flavour. It is a dry wine.

Production and Specifications

The “Superiore” designation requires specific aging protocols and a higher minimum alcohol level compared to the regular Barbera d’Asti.

• Grape Variety: 100% Barbera grapes.
• Region: Produced from vineyards in the Valle Asinari in San Marzano Oliveto, in the Asti hills of Piedmont.
• Farming: The grapes are cultivated using strict organic regulations, with minimal intervention in the vineyard and winery.
• Vinification: Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts occurs in concrete tanks for about 12 days, followed by malolactic fermentation, also in concrete.
• Ageing: The wine is aged for a minimum of 14 months before release, with at least six months spent in wooden barrels. For this specific wine, refinement takes place in large Slavonian oak barrels (partly French, partly Slavonian).
• Alcohol Content: Typically around 14.5% vol or higher.

Food Pairings

The wine’s structure, acidity, and rich fruit profile make it an excellent partner for hearty dishes, including:

• Roast meats
• Braised meats
• Game
• Mature cheeses