Barbera d'Asti, 'La Villa', Tenuta Olim Bauda, Italy, 2016

La Villa from Tenuta Olim Bauda 2016 is a simply beautiful example of Barbera d’Asti.

From the world-famous Piedmont region of Italy, the two big B’s are Barbera d’Asti and Barbera D’Alba. Both wines are made using the Barbera grape and considerably more is made in the Asti region, as producers in Alba increasingly favour production of the more lucrative Barolo and Barbaresco wines.

Barbera is a difficult grape to get right, it’s heavily pigmented skins can lead to teeth-stainingly, inky rich colour, yet the style of the wine (in the hands of the right winemaker) can be as soft and gentle as Pinot Noir, with vibrant yet restrained summer fruits on a silky smooth palate with a lingering finish. And that is the case here.

Often considered the younger sibling of the wines from its geographical neighbour Alba, Asti wines are sometimes pigeonholed as been inferior, but to assume that would be a mistake in our view.

These wines offer excellent value for money, and are great as a quaffing wine, but come into their own with food, as with most wines.

You can expect cherry, strawberry and raspberry fruits on the nose and palate, with hints of spice, and often a touch of vanilla on the finish. Try it alongside our Lamb and Mint Burger, or the Ratatouille Raviolo, Yum!