Oreste Stefano - Barbera d'Alba Superiore DOC 2021

Ruby red with aromas of cherry, blackberry and redcurrant, complemented by green pepper, cinnamon and a hint of cocoa. Full-bodied and juicy, with fresh acidity, soft tannins and a subtly bitter, spicy finish.

Delicious with pasta in tomato sauce, salumi, brasato, and hearty cheeses. Thanks to its fresh acidity, it also pairs excellently with spicy dishes. Serve at 16–18 °C.

Small but mighty certainly applies to this fantastic little family business from the Langhe. Located near Monforte, in the small hamlet of Perno, is a winery where the most delicious wines are crafted. They produce a mere 12,000 bottles annually, and every single one is a hit.

Following the passing of her father Stefano, daughter Chiara, together with her husband Clemente, has built a small yet high-quality arsenal of traditional Piedmontese wines: Barolo, Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Arneis. Viticulture just as it has been practiced in Piedmont for centuries: small-scale, idiosyncratic, and with immense respect for the land.

And then there is Clemente. A Southern Italian by origin, who spent years wandering through Italy like a vagabond. From place to place, always in search of new experiences, new people, and a life that suited him. Until he found Chiara in the Langhe. There, he found not only love, but also his place. Together they continued to build on Chiara's family business, and Clemente grew into a passionate and exceptionally talented winemaker. His Southern Italian roots and his wandering life story add a beautiful extra dimension to their wines: rooted in Piedmont, but with a soul that has traversed all of Italy.

Naturally, they work in the traditional way. This means that the wines intended for aging mature in large wooden barrels—the classic *botte*—following a long, spontaneous fermentation. A method that not only benefits the wines but also stems from history. In the past, large wooden barrels were used because, during the long aging process of the Nebbiolo, there was time to harvest other crops in the fields.

In this, too, history repeats itself. As soon as the grapes have been picked from the vines and the work in the vineyard is done, Chiara and Clemente head to the south of Italy. There, they harvest olives from the olive grove belonging to Clemente, whose roots lie deep in the south.

Two worlds, one life. Piedmont and Southern Italy. Wine and olives. Tradition and a touch of adventure.

Pure, authentic, and delicious.

Originating from the MGA Perno in Monforte d’Alba, one of the larger MGAs in the Barolo zone. The provenance gives the Barbera a beautiful combination of ripe fruit, freshness, and structure.

The wine is made traditionally and aged for 12 months in used tonneaux. This gives the Barbera extra roundness and spicy complexity, while retaining its fruity character.

A full-bodied Barbera with sufficient structure for bottle aging. Already quite accessible, but good to cellar for approximately 5–7 years after the harvest. An American wine merchant even suggests a significantly longer aging potential for the 2022.