I am a man of simple needs. After a long day of work, I want to go home and sit down to a low carb, high protein, high fiber, low sugar and salt, no GMO, non-carcinogenic, low-calorie meal. Oh, and a glass of good red wine. Is that too much to ask? Although my main entrée decisions don't always meet my expectations, I do believe there is no reason with today's vast sections to be subjected to a glass of bad or even mediocre wine, no matter what your budget is. My particular taste leans toward Italian wines, most likely because I embrace their philosophy for life—lots of good food, with good wine shared with good friends. While most wine lovers associate Italian wines with Chianti or from the Veneto, sometimes overlooked are wines that are the most popular everyday affordable wine of North-west Italy.

Barbera is a great grape to make wine from. It is the third most planted red grape in Italy, after Sangiovese and Montepulciano, which indicates this is the wine that the locals drink for daily consumption. A deep purple color on the vine, it boasts relatively low tannins and high acidity. The grape tends to thrive in both calcareous and clay soils. Vines are vigorous and can produce high yields and must be pruned regularly, as too much fruit can diminish quality. Barbera wines are big fresh-fruited wines that offer notes of bright red and blue fruits, such as raspberries, cherries, and blueberries. Because they have high acid, they are the perfect food wine (risotto, roast meats). Barbera is the quintessential 'wine of the people,' it's meant to be enjoyed young with heaping bowls of food, and it is relatively cheap! You can see why this is my kind of wine.

In 1978, the Dogliani family purchased the historic Kiola Winery in the Batasiolo Hills in Piemonte. This purchase included two beni in the internationally renowned zone for growing the celebrated Nebbiolo da Barolo grape. In the Piemontese dialect, "beni" means farmhouse with vineyards, and when the Dogliani family purchased the estate, there were seven "beni," and now there are nine. So as not to be confused with the Dogliani growing region, the family named their company Beni di Batasiolo after the central vineyard where the winery and cellar are located. Beni di Batasiolo is the largest family-owned wine producer in Italy's Piedmont region. Since 1978, the winery has grown to encompass over 320 acres of vineyards. Today Beni de Batasiolo owns some of the finest cru Barolo and Barbaresco plots in Piemonte, but their everyday drinking wine is their Barbera d'Alba.

Compared to Barbera d'Asti, Barbera d'Alba tends to have a darker color, a fuller body, and more intense and tangy fruit flavors. Barbera d'Alba is produced in much lower quantities than in Asti, as winemakers in Alba tend to dedicate more vineyard space to the ever-popular Barolo and Barbaresco wines. However, the unique flavors of Barbera d'Alba establish it as a prominent wine in its own right.

After malolactic fermentation in stainless steel vats for 10-12 days, the juice is refined in Slavonian oak casks and stainless steel. The color is ruby red with violet tinges. A bouquet of good intensity and persistence, with fruit and vegetable expressions. Dry and well-balanced, with good acidity and very delicate tannins

Full, finely chewy, tart, and dry with notes of black cherry, plum, oyster mushroom, cumin seed, and tobacco. Planet Grape Wine Review 91 pts

Batasiolo Barbera d’Alba 2019  

As you can imagine, I was very excited to try this wine. A reasonably priced Barbera always gets my attention. After trying the wine, I was reminded why I love Italian wines; even my Francophile friend Tim was impressed with this excellent Barbera. Dark fruit nose with blackberry, dark cherry with a savory element. On the palate, it has juicy fruit without any sweetness, some olive, and great balancing acid. Although the wine pours inky, it is very alive with complex flavors in the mouth. This glass is the perfect wine for pasta, pizza, roasts, and just about anything else you can think of. This is my kind of wine and at my kind of price.

Regular Price: $16.99

*Sale price is on 6 or more bottles

Wine is packed in a 12-bottle case

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Cheers!

John Hannum,

Fine & Rare Wine Specialist