Barbera d'Asti del Martin 2021

This Barbera comes from a vineyard in the Montegrosso d'Asti area, in the south of the province of Asti, in the heart of the Monferrato hills. Planted between 200 and 230 metres above sea level, the vines take root in clay-limestone marls mixed with sand, a soil that gives the wine its freshness and tension. Based in Castagnole Monferrato, the Ferraris family has farmed these Piedmont slopes for several generations and offers here a faithful, classic expression of Barbera d'Asti.

The Barbera grapes are vinified in stainless-steel tanks, where alcoholic and then malolactic fermentation take place. The wine is then aged for a few months in stainless-steel tanks, with no oak at all, to preserve the purity of the fruit and the natural liveliness of the grape variety. Finally, it rests for about three months in bottle before release. This deliberately simple approach highlights the character of the terroir and the brightness of a Barbera that is both indulgent and precise.

This wine reveals notes of cherry, raspberry, blackberry, blackcurrant, blueberry, violet, dried herbs and wet stone. Red and black fruit dominate an expressive nose, extended by a floral touch and a mineral nuance. The palate is juicy and supple, carried by lively acidity and barely perceptible tannins. The fresh, fruity finish invites you to serve it lightly chilled.

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!