Italian dry red wine "Barbaresco": reviews

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Wine "Barbaresco" is one of the representatives of premium alcohol produced in Italy. The drink is known for its tart taste, rich aroma and is one of the ten most famous alcohols in the world, both in terms of popularity among buyers and in terms of the number of entries in famous collections of the world. A blend of varieties from the Piedmont region gives the drink a unique taste, which is considered by the Italians themselves to be the emblem of Italian winemaking.

Geolocation of variety and blend

The main variety in the Barbaresco blend is the Nebbiolo red grape variety, grown in the territory of the Piedmont region itself, as well as the municipalities of Treiso, Neive and in the west of San Rocco. The grapes of this variety have a rich taste with a slightly noticeable sourness. The leaves are large, triangular in shape, slightly susceptible to gray rot and pests. The variety is considered a status one in Italy and is used for blending various wines, including Barolo, which competes with Barbaresco in Piedmont.

Features of the recipe

Alcohol concentration in Italian dry wines reaches barely 15degrees, but for "Barbaresco" the limit of 12-13 degrees is considered an ideal fortress. The wine undergoes a double distillation procedure, after which it is aged in wooden barrels for 12 months, not counting cupping in bottles, but for some types this period is increased to 2 or even 4 years. Dry Italian wines often do not have a rich taste and viscosity, but the older the Barbaresco gets, the darker the drink becomes and the brighter the taste. Over time, bitter notes appear in Barbaresco, the shade of spices becomes stronger.

The wine has a DOCG certificate, which indicates the highest class of the drink and the strictest production control. The complete recipe for Barbaresco wine (Italy) is kept in the strictest confidence, in addition, depending on the vineyard, the taste palette can vary significantly. The farther south, the more expressive and brighter the berry notes in the drink, and the sourness is characteristic of a more northern blend and is more reminiscent of the products of the Barbera d'Asti vineyards. It is characterized by blackberries and raspberries, which dominate the aroma.

DOCG certification means that the wine must spend at least a year in oak barrels. In this case, the drink acquires notes of the aroma of wood and tobacco. The ideal age for Barbaresco is considered to be 1-2 years old, a brand like Riserva undergoes cupping for more than 3 or even 4 years.

Origin of alcohol

It is not known exactly where the dry red wine "Barbaresco" came from. According to oneversion, a similar drink was previously distilled by the Gauls, then it was called "Barbaritium". There is also an opinion that "Barbaresco" has barbarian roots, but they are much deeper than in the first version, and the name is derived from barbari (Italian barbarians). In any case, Barbaresco wine has a high status in its home region and is in great demand all over the world. Among Italians, it is considered honorable to be involved in winemaking, especially if the distiller works with Nebbiolo.

Taste and culinary uses

Wine "Barbaresco" has a tart taste, which becomes more pronounced with age. If the young wine still retains a hint of sweetness, then with age the drink darkens and resembles more fortified types of alcohol. For Piedmont, working with red varieties is a kind of tribute to traditions, more than 70% of the vineyards of this territory are planted with just such alcohol. Therefore, the taste palette of the drink can be incredibly rich. Depending on the district, notes of strawberry, currant appear in Barbaresco, and the tart aroma acquires notes of wood and even tobacco.

Age matters

Due to the special shape of the bottle, the wine can withstand a longer preservation, as a result of which the drink benefits from aging. The higher the term for stopping alcohol, the brighter the palette. "Barbaresco" is considered one of the most stringent wines in terms of recipes and has a classic taste. That is, there are no notes of citrus or floral aroma in the drink,characteristic of younger or sparkling wines.

Most often "Barbaresco" is served with game, meat dishes or as a compliment. In this case, it is served with cheese. It is not customary for Italians to eat dry wines or seize them with dessert; such a drink can even act as a kind of aperitif before the main meal in order to whet the appetite of guests and make the atmosphere warmer. From its eminent neighbor "Barolo" wine "Barbaresco" differs in softer tannins. If the first alcohol has high acidity and requires a very long exposure, then "Barbaresco" can be served at the table after 8-16 months, it is easy to drink and does not leave an ethyl aftertaste.

Is it good for he alth

Dry red wines are recommended by doctors for use as a natural stimulant of the immune system and can significantly reduce the duration of therapy for a weakened body. Meanwhile, it is noted that this is true only if the minimum norm, the notorious “glass at dinner”, is observed, but no more. Soft tannins allow Barbaresco to take the place of table wine, which is useful for people suffering from chronic diseases or heart failure. Wine "Barbaresco", reviews of which testify to a mild taste, is simply pleasant to drink at a meal, and aesthetic pleasure can also be considered a benefit to the body.

Constant intake of a small amount of red wine promotes vasodilation and stabilizesacidity in the human body. Also, the drink has antiseptic, antioxidant and sedative properties. Wine removes cholesterol from the blood and contributes to the normalization of metabolism. The Italians, in whose homeland Barbaresco is produced, say that wine is good for he alth in any quantity, and the key to longevity is the habit of tasting a glass of red at dinner. Of course, this is true only for real wines, counterfeit not only does not have beneficial properties, it is also harmful to he alth, as it may contain low-quality ingredients.

How to distinguish an original from a fake

Italians are proud of "Barbaresco" and are jealous of all sorts of fakes of this alcohol. You can identify a fake in several ways, primarily by the label. The packaging of the original always indicates the territorial binding that is typical for this particular batch of alcohol. In addition, it often contains an excise tax and the emblem of the enterprise itself, in addition to the state mark. Thus, the producer is responsible for the wine placed on the market. The original "Barbaresco" has a rich burgundy color, shimmering ruby in the sun. The shade is even, without impurities and sediment. The older the wine, the darker its shade.

Price also matters

In the end, the drink acquires a rich taste of ripe fruit, with hints of berries. The most classic palette for Barbaresco is plum, overripe cherries and blackberries. Alcohol should not have the ethyl taste that is characteristic of a low-grade distillate. Otherwisethe drink becomes bitter. Wine "Barbaresco", the cost of which barely exceeds the average price segment, is most likely a fake, since alcohol with potential is often quite expensive (from 1,500 rubles per bottle).