Barbera

Barbera is a productive and versatile red grape variety. The Monferrato in Piedmont is frequently sited as the variety's birthplace. Barbera ripens relatively late, after Piedmont's lesser black grape variety Dolcetto, although well before the slower Nebbiolo. Its chief characteristic is its high level of natural acidity even when fully ripe; a distinct advantage in a hot climate. As well as dominating in Piedmont, it also accounts for the majority of vines in Lombardy and in the Colli Piacentini. A "Barbera Sarda" is also grown in Sardinia, where some argue that the local Perricone or Pignatello, is also Barbera.