Wine "Barbaresco" is one of the representatives of premium alcohol produced in Italy. The drink is known for its tart taste, rich aroma and is among the ten most famous alcohol in the world, both in terms of popularity among buyers and by the number of entries in famous collections of the world. A blend of varieties from the Piedmont region gives the drink a unique taste, which directly by the Italians themselves is considered the emblem of Italian winemaking.
Grade geolocation and blending
The main variety in the Barbaresco blend is the Nebbiolo red grape variety, grown on the territory of the Piedmont region itself, as well as the municipalities of Treiso, Neive and western San Rocco. The grape berries of this variety have a rich taste with a slightly noticeable acidity. The leaves are large, triangular in shape, slightly susceptible to gray rot and pests. The variety is considered a status in Italy and is used in the blending of different wines, including Barolo, which creates competition for Barbaresco in Piedmont.
Recipe Features
The concentration of alcohol in dry wines in Italy reaches hardly 15 degrees, but the limit of 12-13 degrees is considered to be an ideal fortress for Barbaresco. The wine undergoes a double distillation procedure, after which it is aged in wooden barrels for 12 months, excluding bottling, but for some species this period is increased to 2 or even 4 years. Dry wines of Italy often do not differ in rich taste and malleability, but the older Barbaresco gets, the darker the drink becomes and the brighter the taste. Over time, bitter notes appear in Barbaresco, the hue of spices becomes stronger.
The wine has a DOCG certificate, which indicates the highest class of the drink and the most stringent control over the production. The complete recipe for wine "Barbaresco" (Italy) is kept in the strictest confidence; in addition, the taste palette can vary significantly depending on the vineyard. The farther south, the more expressive and brighter the berry notes in the drink, and the sourness is characteristic of a more northern blend and more likely resembles the products of the Barber d'Asti vineyards. Blackberry and raspberry prevailing in aroma are characteristic of it.
DOCG certificate means that the wine must spend in the oak barrel for at least a year. In this case, the drink acquires notes of wood and tobacco aroma. An age of 1-2 years is considered the ideal age for Barbaresco. A brand such as Riserva is stopped in more than 3 and even 4 years.
Origin of alcohol
It is not known exactly where exactly the dry red wine "Barbaresco" came from. According to one version, previously a similar drink was distilled by the Gauls, then it was called "Barbarium". It is also believed that "Barbaresco" has barbarian roots, but they are much deeper than in the first version, and the name is derived from barbari (Italian barbarians). In any case, Barbaresco wine has a high status in its home region and is in great demand all over the world. Among Italians, it is considered honorable to engage in winemaking, especially if the distillery works with Nebbiolo.
Taste and use in cooking
Wine "Barbaresco" has a tart taste, which becomes more pronounced with age. If the
young wine still retains the aftertaste of sweetness, then with age the drink darkens and resembles more fortified types of alcohol. For Piedmont, working with red varieties is a kind of tribute to traditions, more than 70% of the vineyards of this territory are planted precisely under such alcohol. Therefore, the taste palette of the drink can be incredibly rich. Depending on the district, notes of strawberries and currants appear in Barbaresco, while the tart aroma takes on notes of wood and even tobacco.
Age matters
Due to the special shape of the bottle, the wine can withstand a longer preservation, as a result of which the beverage benefits from aging. The longer the term for stopping alcohol, the brighter the palette. “Barbaresco” is considered one of the most stringent wines in terms of recipe and has a classic taste. That is, the drink does not have notes of citrus or floral aroma, characteristic of younger or sparkling wines.
Most often, "Barbaresco" is served with game, meat dishes or as a compliment. In this case, it is served with cheese. Italians don’t make dry wines or seize them with dessert, such a drink can even serve as a kind of aperitif before the main meal in order to whet guests' appetite and make the atmosphere warmer. Wine “Barbaresco” differs from its eminent neighbor “Barolo” by softer tannins. If the first alcohol has high acidity and requires a very long exposure, then “Barbaresco” can be served to the table in 8-16 months, it is drunk easily and does not leave an aftertaste of an ethyl aftertaste.
Is it good for health
Dry red wines are recommended by doctors for use as a natural stimulator of the immune system and can significantly reduce the duration of therapy for a weakened body. Meanwhile, it is noted that this is true only if the minimum norm is observed, the notorious “glass at dinner”, but no more. Soft tannins allow Barbaresco to take the place of table wine, which is useful for people suffering from chronic diseases or heart failure. Wine "Barbaresco", reviews of which indicate a mild taste, is simply pleasant to drink at a meal, and aesthetic pleasure can also be considered a benefit to the body.
The constant intake of a small amount of red wine contributes to the expansion of blood vessels and stabilizes the acidity in the human body. Also, the drink has the properties of an antiseptic, antioxidant and sedative. Wine removes cholesterol from the blood and helps normalize metabolism. The Italians, in whose homeland they produce Barbaresco, claim that wine is good for health in any quantity, and the key to longevity is the habit of tasting a glass of red at dinner. Of course, this is true only for real wines, the counterfeit not only does not have useful properties, it is also harmful to health, as it may contain low quality components.
How to distinguish an original from a fake
Italians are proud of Barbaresco and are jealous of all kinds of fakes of this alcohol. There are several ways to identify a fake, primarily by label. On the packaging of the original is always indicated that territorial reference, which is characteristic of this particular batch of alcohol. In addition, it often contains the excise tax and the emblem of the enterprise itself, in addition to the state brand. Thus, the manufacturer is responsible for the wine released on the market. The original “Barbaresco” has a rich burgundy color, cast ruby in the sun. The hue is even, without impurities and sediment. The older the wine, the darker its shade.
Price is also important.
Ultimately, the drink acquires a rich taste of ripe fruit, with notes of berries. The most classic palette for Barbaresco is plum, overripe cherries and blackberries. In alcohol there should not be an aftertaste of ethyl characteristic of a base distillate. Otherwise, the drink becomes bitter. Wine "Barbaresco", the price of which barely exceeds the average price segment, is most likely a fake, since alcohol with the potential is often quite expensive (from 1,500 rubles per bottle).