Out of the Shadows

Michele Chiarlo
Barbera d'Asti
2004
Italy

The Italians are truly the masters of affordable food wines, and Barbera, when it is good, is one of their best representatives. Barbera is from the Piedmont region of Italy and not that long ago it was completely overshadowed. Its neighbor was the highly prized, and expensive blockbuster Nebbiolo. But legendary winemaker, Angelo Gaja, saved this grape by giving it the attention it deserved and brought it back from the brink of mediocrity. Now, Barbera is a lovely wine that is very budget friendly. Looking at the ViniCode™, the wine is relatively dry, although there is a little residual sugar that works nicely with this grape's natural acidity. It is that acidic edge that makes this wine interesting, gives it structure and makes it so wonderful with food. There is some oak that become more prominent as the wine warms, but thankfully, in this case, it merely enhances the sour cherry fruit and spicy earthiness. Barbera is typically a medium bodied wine and is great as a sipper. But at $13.00 and with a bowl of chili... We have a winner!