Barbera d'Asti DOCG I Mandorli 2022

This Barbera comes from the hills of Bubbio, in the Langa Astigiana, in the south of the province of Asti, in the heart of Piedmont. This hillside territory, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside the vineyard landscapes of the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato, enjoys hot summers and harsh winters that favour slow ripening. The Torelli family has farmed its vineyard organically here since 1987: pioneers in Italy, they obtained the country's very first organic wine certification with their 1992 Moscato d'Asti.

Barbera, a grape variety with sugar-rich berries and naturally high acidity, is harvested at full ripeness in the estate's certified organic vineyards. The I Mandorli cuvée is made by traditional red winemaking, then the wine is kept in stainless-steel tanks until the summer following the harvest, with no time in oak. This choice of short, neutral ageing preserves the purity of the fruit and the hallmark freshness of the variety, for a structured, generous Barbera d'Asti made for the table.

This wine reveals notes of black cherry, plum, blackberry, raspberry, violet, pepper, liquorice and almond. The nose, indulgent and expressive, blends red and black fruit with a floral and spicy touch. The palate is fresh and structured, with lovely breadth, its generous alcohol balanced by lively acidity. Supple tannins accompany a fruity, slightly almondy finish.

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!