In Piemonte, Italy, the three best-known red grapes are Barbera, Dolcetto, and Nebbiolo. Of course, of those three, Nebbiolo is “king” and Barbera has long lived in its shadow. In fact, many locals will casually say that they “drink Barbera while waiting for Nebbiolo to be ready.” But Barbera is far more than simply a wine to drink while waiting for Nebbiolo. Vibrant, approachable, and food-friendly, Barbera offers bright acidity, soft tannins, and generous fruit, making it one of Piemonte’s most enjoyable everyday wines. And in Nizza, where Barbera takes center stage, the grape reaches an entirely different level of complexity and expression. That is the vision behind Frasca La Guaragna, a young winery rooted in the heart of Monferrato and dedicated to showcasing the depth and potential of Barbera from Nizza DOCG. I had the pleasure to meet winemaker Matteo Gerbi during a recent virtual tasting.
