Barbera
Originally from Piedmont, Italy
Barbera is a red grape from Piedmont making juicy, food-friendly wines with sour cherry and blackberry fruit, very high acidity and unusually low tannin for a red. That combination is its signature: plenty of grip from acid, very little from tannin, which makes it soft on the gums but mouth-watering. Traditionally the everyday wine of Piedmont while Nebbiolo took the glory, it ranges from bright and unoaked to serious barrel-aged bottlings from Asti and Alba that gain plum, chocolate and spice.
Barbera is a red Italian wine grape variety that, as of 2000, was the third most-planted red grape variety in Italy. It is known for its deep color, full body, low tannins and high levels of acidity.
Taste profile
Food pairings
Notable Barbera wines
Barbera d'Alba
Red WineMassolino · Piedmont
Drink 2024–2028
Sangue di Giuda
Sparkling Red WineAndrea Picchioni · Oltrepò Pavese, Lombardy
Drink 2025–2027
Appassimento Piemonte Barbera Passito
Red WineSan Silvestro · Piemonte
Barbera d'Asti Superiore
RedAV.I.P.S.P.A. Milano · Barbera d'Asti, Piedmont
Drink 2021–2026
Rocche del Santo
RedAgricola Brandini · Barbera d'Alba Superiore
l'argantin Barbera d'Alba Superiore
RedAbellonio · Barbera d'Alba
Drink 2024–2028
Barbera Appassimento
RedRicossa · Piemonte
Bricco Roche Nizza Riserva
RedTenuta Il Falchetto · Nizza, Piedmont
Piano
RedAzienda Vitivinicola Piano · Barbera d'Asti
BARBERA D'ASTI
RedAzienda Vitivinicola Piano S.S. · Barbera d'Asti
Drink 2023–2027
Ca' di Pian
RedLa Spinetta · Barbera d'Asti D.O.C.G. Superiore
Drink 2022–2030
Barbera d'Alba Nemes
RedRivetto · Barbera d'Alba
Similar grapes
Compare Barbera with
Barbera FAQ
What is Barbera?
Barbera is a red wine grape that originated in Piedmont, Italy. Barbera is a red grape from Piedmont making juicy, food-friendly wines with sour cherry and blackberry fruit, very high acidity and unusually low tannin for a red. That combination is its signature: plenty of grip from acid, very little from tannin, which makes it soft on the gums but mouth-watering. Traditionally the everyday wine of Piedmont while Nebbiolo took the glory, it ranges from bright and unoaked to serious barrel-aged bottlings from Asti and Alba that gain plum, chocolate and spice.
What are the characteristics of Barbera?
On the palate it reads as medium-bodied, high acidity, low tannin. Structurally: body 3/5, acidity 5/5, tannin 2/5, sweetness 1/5.
Is Barbera sweet?
Barbera is almost always vinified bone dry, so expect no perceptible sugar in the glass.
What does Barbera taste like?
Think of it as a medium-bodied red. Barbera is a red grape from Piedmont making juicy, food-friendly wines with sour cherry and blackberry fruit, very high acidity and unusually low tannin for a red. That combination is its signature: plenty of grip from acid, very little from tannin, which makes it soft on the gums but mouth-watering. Traditionally the everyday wine of Piedmont while Nebbiolo took the glory, it ranges from bright and unoaked to serious barrel-aged bottlings from Asti and Alba that gain plum, chocolate and spice.
What food pairs with Barbera?
Reach for Barbera alongside Tomato-based pasta, Pizza, Salami and cured meats, Mushroom risotto, Roast pork.
Where is Barbera grown?
You will find its finest expressions in Piedmont, Asti, Alba, Monferrato.
What grapes are similar to Barbera?
If you enjoy Barbera, try Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Grenache. Shares the high acidity and tomato affinity, with firmer tannin.
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