Deep ruby colour. Pronounced jammy nose, a combination of plum and raspberry. This single-varietal wine is highly concentrated and the oak is nicely integrated. Alfiera is an elegant Barbera with a lovely long finish.

Attributes

Origin:	Italy / Piemont / Barbera d'Asti
Grape variety:	Barbera
Label:	Vegan
Ripening potential:	3 to 12 years after harvest
Drinking temperature:	16 to 18 °C
Food Pairing:	Brasato di manzo al Barolo, Bistecca fiorentina, T-Bone steak, Wild specialities, Wild boar entrecôte with Spätzli, Spicy hard cheese
Vinification:	fully destemmed, long must fermentation
Harvest:	hand-picking
Maturation:	in tonneau, partly in barrique/ Pièces
Maturation duration:	18 months
Volume:	14.5 %
Note:	Contains sulphites

Producer

Marchesi Alfieri

At the intersection of Roero, Langhe and Monforte, between Asti and Alba, lies the small medieval village of San Martino Alfieri. The magnificent baroque castle of the Marchesi Alfieri and the Azienda building are located on the hill.

The winery is run by three sisters, Emanuela, Antonella and Giovanna San Martino di San Germano, direct descendants of the Marchesi Alfieri. The winemaker Mario Olivero has been at their side for many years.

The Alfieri have been living here since 1616, and have been closely connected with the Piedmont region and its history since. They have asserted their influence honourably in literature, architecture and politics. The magnificent chambers, halls and the romantic orangery speak of an eventful family history at every turn. The huge park is a feast for the eyes and quickens the heart of any botanist or gardener.

Grape variety

Barbera

The all-around culinary companion

The Barbera grape is one of the cornerstones of the Piedmont. It lends its name to three cultivation areas: Barbera d’Asti, Barbera d’Alba and Barbera di Monferrato. There are fierce rivalries. Thus the vintners of Asti assert that their Barbera is better than those from Alba, because the best sites in Alba are reserved for Barolo and Barberesco. The truth is, there are all kinds of Barbera: young and fruity, ripe and complex, simple or sophisticated. The best representatives are ruby red with pure, sweet cherry fruit, soft body and fresh acidity. They are fantastic culinary companions: there is scarcely any Italian dish with which they do not fit. The variety is well-distributed, thanks to the Italian emigrants in California.

Country

Italy

Italy – Where wine is a way of life

The Italian wine regions are extremely diverse, and this is made clear in their wines. Established varieties such as Merlot, Syrah, and Sauvignon can be found on just 15 percent of the total vine growing area. The remaining 85 percent is reserved for autochthonous, indigenous varieties. More than 2,000 different grape varieties are grown under diverse conditions and pressed with various techniques into wines that reach the top tier of the international wine market.