Agricola Gaia, Brich, Barbera Monferrato, Piemonte, Italy

Barbera can be found growing throughout Piedmont, and it's often what the locals choose to drink. And if in doubt, follow the locals…

But there are a few areas that really specialise in Barbera, one of which is Monferrato, where the cool of the rolling hills helps create the perfect climate to get the best out of the grape. The name “Brich” is derived from bricco, the Piedmont dialect word for hill top or crag, and this wine is made from 30 year old vines, growing high on the hillside, which have been in Fabrizio Luli’s family for generations. 

70% of the grapes are destemmed, 30% left whole bunch, with a 12 hour cold maceration to extract juice and colour, before a natural fermentation occurs. The wine is aged for 9 months in concrete. Bottled without being fined or filtered and with just a smidge of SO2. 

Aromas of dark, ripe blackberry flavours and summer pudding, generous and round, but with a lovely edge, a characteristic of Barbera, that balances the fruit and keeps it fresh. 

Drink it with pasta with a meaty sauce, some salumi or cheese and it is perfect with pizza!