Barolo, Barbaresco & Barbera from Piedmont

The difference between Barolo, Barbaresco, and Barbera isn't always straightforward. On the one hand, they refer to a region, and on the other, to a grape variety. All three wines originate from Piedmont . Barolo and Barbaresco are municipalities within Piedmont. Barbera, however, is a grape variety. The native grapes Nebbiolo and Barbera are among the oldest, indigenous grape varieties in Italy.

The Nebbiolo grape ripens late. It is often not harvested until October, when the fog rolls into the vineyards. The DOCG regulations for Barbaresco stipulate a minimum aging period of 26 months, nine of which must be in oak barrels (for Barolo it's 38 months, 18 of which must be in oak barrels), for example, Giribaldi Barbaresco Cottà Barrique DOCG . A Riserva must age for a total of 50 months, at least nine of which must be in oak barrels, before it can be released for sale.

Barbera d'Alba is made from over 85% Barbera grapes, with the remaining 15% permitted to be Nebbiolo. A minimum aging period is only prescribed for Barbera Superiore, which must age for 12 months – at least four of which must be in oak barrels.

Generally, Barbera varieties are divided into:

• Barbera d'Asti :
  • Leaner and more pronounced acidity than the Alba (lighter color)
  • Storage in wooden barrels is not mandatory.
  • At least 90% Barbera in the wine
• Barbera d'Alba :
  • Fuller, riper & stronger than the Asti (darker color)
  • Storage in wooden barrels is required for 4 months.
  • At least 85% Barbera in the wine
  • e.g. Giribaldi d'Alba CAJ Superiore DOC

Incidentally, Piemonte is a collective term for quality wines with a controlled designation of origin (like DOC) produced in the Italian wine-growing region of Piemonte Il Monferrato. This wine does not belong to any of the other defined Monferrato denominations, such as Cortese di Gavi, Barbera del Monferrato Superiore, Colli Tortonesi, Cortese dell'Alto Monferrato, Dolcetto d'Acqui, Gabiano, Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese, Monferrato, Rubino di Cantavenna, Strevi, or Barbera del Monferrato.