Everyone loves an Italian red don’t they? But Italian reds are very popular already so why on earth would Mike from www.pleasebringmemywine.com decide to plump for one in week 4 of #newwinethisweek?

       

When we scour the supermarket shelves we find plenty of Chianti (made using between 75% and 100% Sangiovese grapes), Nero D’Avola (a grape that is indigenous to Sicilly), and a smattering of Montepulciano from the Abruzzo region (don’t confuse with Vino Nobile de Montepulciano – but that’s for another day!). If you’ve got a few more pennies in your purse, you may even be heading to Piedmont for the wonderful Barolos and Barbarescos made from the ever so aristocratic Nebbiolo…. But look a little harder and there are some bargains to be found in Piedmont…

… One of those Piedmont pleasures is the delightful Barbera, Mike’s excellent selection for week 4.

Most Italian reds often show at their best with food, many of them having a big tannic structure; Barbera is different. This is a grape with delicious and mouth-watering acidity and very gentle tannins. Wines under £10 level are bright, fresh and designed to be drunk young; perky red cherries, raspberries and just a touch of gentle sweet spice; the more expensive versions need up to 5 years to allow their complexity to properly unfold. Look for wines from the sub-regions of Alba (Barbera d’Alba) and Asti (Barbera d’Asti) and you will be very happy winos this week!

The voting will take place on pleasebringmemywine.com again this week – click on the link below to cast your vote.

http://pleasebringmemywine.com/2014/01/27/nwtw-week-4-italian-barbera/

Here are a few suggestions from me, the only one I’ve tried is the Michele Chiarlo from Wine & The Vine – it is delightful. I’ve already bought my bottle from M&S to celebrate Wine Wednesday!

Villa Taurini Barbera 2012 (Tesco £5.99)

Araldica Barbera D’Asti 2011 (The Wine Society £6.25)

M&S Barbera d’Asti 2011 (M&S £8.49)

Araldica Barbera D’Asti Superiore 2011 (Waitrose £8.99)

Michele Chiarlo Barbera d’Asti 2010 (Wine & the Vine £12.85)

Cheers and enjoy… and don’t forget to vote!