A Great Italian - Michele Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti DOCG 2010

This wine I found at Harris Teeter in Virginia and as are most Italians, it is fantastic.  I packed an extra bottle and brought it home for other to try.   It is Superiore DOCG distinction with medium body and robust, rich fruit on the nose. It has rich cherry, black currant and black pepper flavors with moderate tannins that work with the acidity and a dry finish.  The superiore distinction means that it has been aged at least 12 months with 6 months spent in a barrel.

The price was $14.99, so don't be afraid to go over that $10 a bottle price point because it was so worth it.

Barbera is a dark-skinned red grape variety found in  several Italian wine regions (Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, Puglia, Campania, Sicily, Sardinia).  It is Italy's 3rd most common grape.  Barbera d'Asti is in the Piedmont region of north-west Italy and one of the most famous.  In 1970 this region became a DOC and in 2008 it was upgraded to DOCG.  The Barbera grape is a favorite among winemakers and consumers alike.


Here is a beautiful photo of the region in Italy