Pairolero Barbera d’Alba Superiore 2023

Located in the Piedmont hills, the Sottimano estate cultivates the Pairolero Barbera d'Alba Superiore cuvée on Barbera plots planted around the village of Neive, in the heart of the Barbera d'Alba appellation. The vines, planted in marl-limestone soils typical of the Langhe region, benefit from well-ventilated exposure and significant temperature variations, promoting slow and complete ripening of the grapes. This mosaic of terroirs gives the wine its balance between concentration, natural freshness, and a precise expression of the Piedmontese landscape.

Barbera d'Alba Superiore Pairolero comes from hand-harvested grapes, with rigorous sorting both in the vineyard and at the winery. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks using indigenous yeasts, followed by a long maceration to gently extract color and structure. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels, some of which are new, on fine lees with occasional stirring, before blending and bottling without heavy filtration to preserve the authentic character of the terroir.

This wine reveals notes of black cherry , ripe plum , and small red berries , complemented by floral touches reminiscent of violet, spicy nuances of pepper and licorice, as well as subtle woody and lightly toasted accents. The palate is ample and flavorful, driven by a lively acidity typical of Barbera, fine and well-integrated tannins , and a persistent finish that combines freshness, lusciousness, and elegant structure.

Ah, Italy, what a beautiful, hedonistic country, the land of la dolce vita, but how difficult it is to understand its wine industry! The key to understanding the appellation system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous nation, as each region has its own appellation system. Italy can offer wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, bottles brimming with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless, characterless wines sold under their most commercially useful and prestigious name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco, and many others... But let's talk a little history. Viticulture in Italy dates back to antiquity and originated in Greece. The Etruscans are said to have introduced the vine, and Greek immigrants improved and modified the grape varieties, subsequently calling the country "Oenotria": the land of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life, and certain regions already distinguished themselves by the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible mark of their conquest. Today, Italy is the world's largest wine producer, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic zones. The northern mountains have a rather harsh mountain climate. The plains of the "central boot" are characterized by a continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the southern part of the Italian boot, the Mediterranean climate prevails, with very hot and dry summers, not forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In short, Italy produces a wide variety of wines thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originated in its own lands. It is a country as complex as its wines, which deserve to be explored!