- Last updated on March 5, 2023
Our Best Barbera Selection
- Best Overall: G.D. Vajra Barbera d'Alba Superiore 2017
- Best Value: Ricossa Barbera Appassimento
- Best under $20: Gianfranco Alessandria Barbera d'Alba 2019
- Best Barbera Asti DOCG: Braida Montebruna Barbera d'Asti 2018
- Best Barbera del Monferrato DOC: Gaudio - Bricco Mondalino Barbera del Monferrato Superiore
- Best Nizza DOCG: Prunotto Costamiòle Barbera d'Asti Nizza Superiore
- Best California: Oak Farm Barbera 2016
- Best under $30: Bruno Giacosa Barbera d’Alba
- Best under $100: Braida Bricco dell'Uccellone Barbera d'Asti
- Best Luxury: Braida Ai Suma Barbera d'Asti 2016
10 Best Barbera Reviewed
Find below the reviews for our wine selection of the 10 Best Barbera so that you have all the info you need to pick what’s best for you.
Vivino’s tips: Good value for money. Similar wines usually cost 42% more.
Region: Italy, Piemonte
Tasting notes: Red Fruit, Hay, Licorice.
G.D. Vajra Barbera d’Alba Superiore is a wine that will take your taste buds on a journey through the rolling hills of Piedmont.
From the moment you uncork the bottle, you’ll be greeted with the bold and intense aroma of dark fruits, earthy spices, and a hint of oak.
With each sip, your palate will be enveloped in a rich and velvety texture, bursting with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and licorice.
What sets G.D. Vajra Barbera d’Alba Superiore apart from other wines is the winemaker’s commitment to using only the highest quality grapes, grown in the finest vineyards of the region.
The wine is then aged for over a year in French oak barrels, giving it a complex depth of flavor and a smooth, elegant finish.
This Barbera d’Alba Superiore is the perfect wine for any occasion, whether you’re enjoying a romantic dinner for two or hosting a dinner party with friends.
Its bold and sophisticated character pairs perfectly with hearty Italian dishes like pasta bolognese or osso buco, as well as with grilled meats or sharp cheeses.
Indulge in the luxury of G.D. Vajra Barbera d’Alba Superiore and experience the true essence of Piedmont in every sip.
Region: Italy, Piemonte
Tasting notes: Berries, Marmalade, Violets, Vanilla, Fig.
Ricossa Barbera Appassimento is a bold and intense wine that is sure to impress any wine lover.
Made with 100% Barbera grapes, this wine is rich and full-bodied, with flavors of ripe blackberry, black cherry, and vanilla.
The appassimento method used in the production of this wine involves drying the grapes to concentrate their flavors, resulting in a wine with a unique depth and complexity.
Perfect for pairing with hearty Italian dishes, this wine is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or looking for a special bottle to share with someone special, Ricossa Barbera Appassimento is an excellent choice.
With its rich flavor profile and elegant bottle design, this wine is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Ruby red color, more or less. notes of red fruits like cherry, and blackberry.
Bodied, velvety, right acidity, typical of the grape. For the price, it’s a bargain. Be quick!
Region: Italy, Piemonte
Tasting notes: Red Berry, Blackberry, Oak, Licorice.
Braida Montebruna Barbera d’Asti is a red wine that perfectly embodies the characteristics of Barbera grapes from the Asti region.
It is intense and full-bodied with a rich aroma of red berries and a hint of vanilla.
The wine is aged for at least a year in oak barrels, adding complexity and depth to the final product.
Whether you are a wine enthusiast or just looking for a high-quality, flavorful red wine to pair with your next meal, Braida Montebruna Barbera d’Asti is a must-try.
Region: Italy, Piemonte
Tasting notes: Plum, Blackberry, Cherry, Vanilla.
Fruity, unmistakable cherry and vanilla.
It shows a full-bodied taste in the whole mouth, smoothness on the tongue, and like a velvet cherry on the palate.
Its structure wraps the mouth and leaves cherry taste for long time.
Region: Italy, Piemonte
Tasting notes: Plum, Cherry, Violet, Cinnamon, Cocoa.
Garnet color and deep ruby with purple reflections and blacks.
Rich scent of fruit, especially plum and cherry with hints of violets, cinnamon, cocoa and leather.
In the mouth is enveloping, dense, rich in tannins soft but well structured.
Region: United States, California
Tasting notes: Cherry, Ripe Plum, Pomegranate, Spices.
This Barbera is a garnet red color with inviting aromas of cherry, hibiscus tea, pomegranate, and mixed spices.
Medium bodied and flavors of ripe plum. This wine’s silky mid palate brightens up on the finish with its lively acidity and soft tannins.
Region: Italy, Piemonte
Tasting notes: Sour Cherry, Wild Berry, Vanilla, Licorice.
Indulge in the smooth and delicious Bruno Giacosa Barbera d’Alba, a delightful red wine that tantalizes the senses with its rich flavors and aromas.
The grapes are hand-picked from the finest vineyards, where they are carefully tended to produce only the best fruits.
After fermentation, the wine is aged in oak barrels, adding depth and complexity to its already sumptuous character.
With its velvety texture and elegant finish, this Barbera d’Alba is the perfect complement to any meal or occasion.
Treat yourself to a bottle today and experience the exquisite taste of Bruno Giacosa.
Region: Italy, Piemonte
Tasting notes: Red Berries, Blackberry, Mint, Vanilla
Braida Bricco dell’Uccellone Barbera d’Asti is a wine that captures the essence of Piedmont in every sip.
With its intense ruby color, captivating aromas of ripe blackberries, cherries, and vanilla, and a smooth, velvety texture, it is no wonder why this wine has earned cult status among wine enthusiasts.
What makes Bricco dell’Uccellone so special is its impeccable balance of fruit, acidity, and tannins.
The grapes are carefully selected and harvested by hand, ensuring only the highest quality fruit makes it into the wine.
The wine is then aged in French oak barrels, adding complexity and depth to the wine’s already impressive character.
It pairs perfectly with hearty dishes such as roasted meats and stews, and its elegant profile also makes it a great wine to enjoy on its own or with friends.
Vivino’s tips: Featured in Vivino’s 2020 Wine Style Awards: Italian Barbera
Region: Italy, Piemonte
Tasting notes: Berries, Blackberry, Vanilla, Licorice, Cocoa.
Braida Ai Suma Barbera d’Asti is a wine that truly captures the essence of the Piedmont region in Northern Italy.
Made from 100% Barbera grapes grown in the prestigious vineyards of Asti, this wine is a true masterpiece that embodies the perfect balance of tradition and innovation.
The grapes are carefully selected from the best vineyards and harvested by hand, then fermented and aged in oak barrels to enhance the wine’s complexity and depth.
The result is a full-bodied wine with a deep ruby color, rich aromas of dark fruit, and a velvety smooth texture that coats the palate.
Braida Ai Suma Barbera d’Asti is a wine that can be enjoyed on any occasion, whether paired with a hearty meal or sipped on its own.
It’s a true representation of the passion and dedication that goes into producing high-quality wines in the Piedmont region.
Don’t miss out on this unique and unforgettable experience.
Buying Guide to Barbera
It’s not just about which Barbera you should buy.
There are other important aspects like how to serve it, food pairings, and much more.
The below buying guide will give you a detailed overview of all these topics.
Barbera Overview
Here you find an overview of where Barbera is most commonly planted.
Grape
Barbera
ABV
13.5%–15%
Main Regions
Italy: Piemonte
Other Regions
Argentina
Australia
Italy: Lombardia, Emilia-Romagna
USA: California
Grape
Barbera
ABV
13.5%–15%
Main Regions
Italy: Piemonte
Other Regions
Argentina
Australia
Italy: Lombardia, Emilia-Romagna
USA: California
Barbera Taste Profile
These are some of the most common aromas and flavors of Barbera.
Color
Deep Ruby
Nose
Red Cherry
Strawberry
Blackberries
Violet
Palate
Red Fruit, Plum
Vanilla
Dry
High Acidity
High Tannins
Light to Medium-Full Body
Color
Deep Ruby
Nose
Red Cherry
Strawberry
Blackberries
Violet
Palate
Red Fruit
Plum
Vanilla
Dry
High Acidity
High Tannins
Light to Medium-Full Body
Barbera Food Pairing
These are some food pairing suggestions for Barbera.
Appetizer
Porcini Mushroom,
Truffle Risotto/Tajarin,
Vitello Tonnato
Meat
Battuta di Fassona (Meat Tartare),
Duck,
Game,
Rabbit
Fish
-
Cheese
Blue Cheese (Gorgonzola)
Appetizer
Porcini Mushroom,
Truffle Risotto/Tajarin,
Vitello Tonnato
Meat
Battuta di Fassona (Meat Tartare),
Duck,
Game,
Rabbit
Fish
-
Cheese
Blue Cheese (Gorgonzola)
Serve and Store Barbera
Here you find some useful tips on how to serve and store Barbera.
Decant
30 mins
Glass
Aroma Collector
Serve at
59 - 64 °F
15 - 18 °C
Store for
Up to 4 years
Up to 10 years finest bottles only
Decant
30 mins
Glass
Aroma Collector
Serve at
59 - 64 °F
15 - 18 °C
Store for
Up to 4 years
Up to 10 years finest bottles only
Barbera Styles
There are at least six Barbera styles you should know about. Five of these are from Piemonte, Italy and one is from the USA.
Here is a quick overview for some regions and what to expect:
Barbera d’Asti DOCG tends to be elegant and bright in color
Barbera d’Asti Superiore DOCG as to be at least 12.5% ABV and should age at least 12 months before release.
Nizza DOCG produces the ripest Barbera
Barbera del Monferrato DOC is usually lighter in body and has light bubbles, i.e. frizzante in Italian.
Barbera d’Alba DOC usually has more intense fruit flavors and ages a little longer than Barbera before entering the market.
Barbera from California has more pronounced oaked flavors like jam, vanilla, and spice.
Our Verdict
What to do next?
Read our wine tasting guide to enhance your tasting experience and taste like the pro!
Alternatively, why don’t you check out our guides on Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon vs Merlot, or the other red wines?
FAQ
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Barbera.
What does Barbera mean?
Most studies speculate that the name Barbera comes from the Latin “Barbarus” which means foreigner in English.
This seems to be linked to the fact that historically Piemonte was a borderland, used as a gateway for the foreigner populations.
What is Barbera history?
The common assumption is that Barbera originated in the thirteenth century in Monferrato, Piemonte region in Italy.
This is backed by a leasing agreement of the land dated mid-1200.
Barbera is today the third most-planted variety in Italy.
Where does Barbera grow best?
When is the perfect time to drink Barbera?
Barbera in his light body and frizzante version, i.e. Barbera del Monferrato DOC, is an everyday wine.
If you opt for the fuller body and more complex styles is a great choice for rich fat dishes and red meats dinner.
Is Barbera sweet?
Barbera is not sweet. It is a dry wine which means it contains less than 15 g/L, or sugar per liter.
Learn more about wine sweetness level here.
What does the acronym DOC and DOCG mean?
DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata. It’s one of the highest classification in Italy.
DOCG stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita. It’s the highest classification in Italy.
Every DOCG wine is tested before bottling by a committee of licensed judges which guarantee the quality of the wine.
To obtain DOC winemakers need to follow rigorous protocols for harvesting, cultivation, and production.
Other common classifications are DO and IGT.[1]
What’s Barbera's typical price range?
Barbera is an affordable wine you can find a good bottle below $20.
If you are after an amazing bottle, like Bricco dell’Uccellona from Braida, be prepared to pay up to $80.
There’ll be room for luxury bottles here as well over $100+
