Poet Giosue' Carducci spoke of "generous Barbera," one which makes all who drink it feel invigorated. That liveliness of spirit is what draws me to the varietal and although it lives in the shadow of Piedmont's Nebbiolo grape, Barbera is deceptively intriguing and in my opinion, one of the best kept secrets of Piedmont. Barbera is the second most widely planted red grape in Italy next to Sangiovese and its origins can be traced back as far as the 13th century. The grape reaches its true potential though in the Langhe, more specifically in the DOCs of Asti, Alba and Monferrato. The Scagliola brothers, Maggiorino and Mario, inherited a small estate on a hillside at San Siro in the town of Calosso, in the centre of the Asti province. Although Calosso is one of the municipalities with the most vineyards in Italy, it is thanks to families like the Scagliolas and their commitment to quality that Asti Langhe is being safeguarded as an area of much notability. With meticulous vineyard management and a state of the art winemaking facility, Scagliola's quest for excellence is being realized, spanning their prized Moscatos and their reds. The 'Frem' Barbera possesses all of the brightness of fruit and high acid that one would expect in a young Barbera, coupled with very soft tannins and deep, dark berry fruits. With aromas of wild currants and blackberry, this red has the ideal amount of acidity and depth, giving it the ability to pair with grilled meats or heavy cheeses as well as lighter tomato dishes and fish. Think of all of the delicacy of Pinot Noir and the body of Zinfandel. Elements of fruit jam and menthol linger on this wine's finish and its lively acidity are so inviting that another sip is surely in order! Feel free to age it too if you are so inclined.
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