The Barbera del Monferrato DOC covers the Monferrato hills between the provinces of Alessandria and Asti, in Piedmont. Recognised by the decree of 9 January 1970, it has about 567 hectares and an output of 30,500 hectolitres. It is a sizeable appellation, designed for a straightforward Barbera to drink young, alongside the more ambitious version that has had its own DOCG since 2008.
A home-grown grape
The bond between Barbera and these hills is old. In 1873 it was described as a «very well-known grape and one of the main bases of the wines of the Asti area and of lower Monferrato, where it is native and has been grown for a very long time». It is still a central red grape in the landscape of the hills between the Tanaro and the Po.
The rules require at least 85% Barbera; the rest, up to 15%, may come from Dolcetto, Freisa and Grignolino. The wine may be still or vivace, with a light fizz that heightens its freshness. Minimum alcohol is 11.5% and no minimum ageing is required. Until 2008 there was also a Superiore style, which then became the Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG.
In the glass
It is a ruby red, with aromas of cherry, plum and small red berries. On the palate the high acidity typical of Barbera comes with soft tannins: an easy-flowing wine that invites a second glass. The vivace version is lighter and should be served slightly cool.
At the table
It is a red for the whole meal: it goes with cured meats, agnolotti, risottos and above all red meat main courses such as roasts. The same hills produce Barbera d'Asti DOCG and the wines of the Monferrato DOC.
