Vietti Barbera d’Asti ‘Tre Vigne’, 2006
~$18US, 100% Barbera d’Asti, Piedmont, Italy
I’ve become really excited about the Barbera grape and one of its biggest proponents - Piedmont producer Vietti. Listen to the great Grape Radio interview to hear Luca Currado’s dedication to the grape and his passion for his family’s choice to plant it in Grand Cru Nebbiolo territory.
The Tre Vigne from Asti is a beautiful Barbera. There is a subtle elegance to the wine across the nose, palate and finish that gives it a feminine, alluring quality. A touch of oak barrique spice, a pair of bing cherries, and some violets in fresh soil. The palate was super zingy and bright- the acidity here is ON and meant to be married with food - and I loved it. So fresh and vital on the palate, and the tannins were fine and well integrated. Medium-bodied, with a gravelly Sweet-Tart finish. A perfect pasta wine. After this wine, I’d be very comfortable shelling out the bucks for this and any of the higher-end Barberas and Barolos from Vietti.