AWM Locals -- Email Subscribers -- Regional Regulars -- Log in here first-->
Open mobile app
Awm Phone ContactMon–Sat: 11:00 AM — 5:00 PM
Need more info on a wine, want to talk food pairings? We’re just a call away, and we'd love to help!
Villa Sparina Barbera 24
$22.99
Tasty Barbera in a cool bottle
In stock: 16 available
Villa Sparina Barbera 24
Product Details
Brand: Cortese
The Piemonte in northwest Italy is a region where wine and food have developed in harmony for centuries. Barolo and Barbaresco, both made from Nebbiolo, are its best-known reds; however, Barbera has an equally important place at the regional table. It works well with simple Tuesday-night pasta as it does with more complex cuisine.
Barbera is celebrated for its bright lift, abundant fruit, and relatively gentle tannins. Cherry, plum, and berry notes are prevalent, with styles ranging from fresh and straightforward to broad-shouldered, oak-aged expressions. Its lively lift and plush tannins make it particularly food-friendly, offering plenty of flavor without the structure of more tannic reds.
Villa Sparina is a family owned estate in Monterotondo, in the municipality of Gavi in southeastern Piemonte. Mario Moccagatta and his wife, Bruna, purchased the property in the early 1970s. Although best known for its Gavi, the celebrated white wine made from Cortese, the estate also produces an interesting Barbera from the surrounding hills.
The property dates back to the eighteenth century, and its historic cellars are still in use today. The next generation, Stefano, Tiziana, and Massimo Moccagatta, has taken over the family’s day-to-day operations. In 2004, the family expanded into agrotourism, adding a hotel and restaurant, bringing wine, regional cooking, and hospitality together on the estate.
Villa Sparina Barbera, Piemonte DOC, comes from vineyards in Gavi planted in clay-and-limestone soils. Predominantly south and southwest-facing, the vineyards sit at approximately 1,000 feet in elevation. Grapes are hand-harvested around mid-October, then gently crushed and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel for roughly two weeks. Following malolactic fermentation, a portion of the wine ages in oak barrels in the estate’s historic cellars, adding just the right depth while preserving the fruit.
In your glass, this deep ruby-red Barbera opens with inviting aromas of ripe black cherry, plum, and wild blackberry, layered with hints of violet, sweet spice, and a whisper of Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, it is vibrant and expressive, with Barbera's hallmark freshness balancing generous dark fruit flavors. Notes of juicy cherry, blackberry compote, and dusty cocoa unfold across a medium-bodied frame, while soft tannins and lively lift lend energy and structure. The smooth finish lingers with red fruit and delicate notes of spice.
In your glass, this deep ruby-red Barbera opens with inviting aromas of ripe black cherry, plum, and wild blackberry, layered with hints of violet, sweet spice, and a whisper of Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, it is vibrant and expressive, with Barbera's hallmark freshness balancing generous dark fruit flavors. Notes of juicy cherry, blackberry compote, and dusty cocoa unfold across a medium-bodied frame, while soft tannins and lively lift lend energy and structure. The smooth finish lingers with red fruit and delicate notes of spice.
At the table, Piemonte’s traditional cooking provides an excellent starting point. Meat-filled agnolotti with a savory sauce, tajarin with slow-cooked ragù, roast pork, or mushroom risotto make superb companions. Barbera’s acidity refreshes the palate alongside rich meat sauces, butter, and cheese, while its fruit complements savory flavors of lighter fare.
There’s no reason to stop at the Italian border, and we’d also love it with Mexican pork carnitas tacos with roasted-tomato salsa and light to moderate chile heat. Japanese chicken yakitori with a light soy glaze and Lebanese lamb kofta with grilled eggplant would be delicious pairings. If you’re thinking grilled meats, warm spices, and smoky vegetables, you’re on the right track.
