Wines Barbera d'Alba Luigi Pira - Barbera d'Alba Superiore - 2022

Luigi Pira's Barbera d'Alba Superiore 2022 is a red wine hailing from the celebrated Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. While information on the precise winemaking techniques or the presence of blending grapes is limited, Barbera d'Alba wines are typically crafted with Barbera as the dominant, if not exclusive, grape variety. 2022, being a recent vintage, is likely to showcase the vibrant and youthful character commonly associated with Barbera: expect a deeply coloured wine with expressive notes of ripe red cherries, plums, and a light hint of spice. The "Superiore" designation suggests additional ageing, often giving the wine extra depth, structure and a refined touch of oak, resulting in a smoother, rounder palate and well-integrated tannins.

Piedmont (Piemonte) is renowned as one of Italy’s flagship wine regions, its reputation built on both traditional styles and innovation. The region's sloping hills and clay-limestone soils are particularly hospitable to the Barbera grape, which thrives in this environment. Piedmont’s climate, characterised by warm, sunny days and cooler nights, promotes excellent acidity and aromatic intensity in the wines. The area is deeply rooted in viticultural history, with winemaking dating back centuries—Barbera itself has long been cherished for its food-friendly nature and refreshing qualities.

Barbera d'Alba is wonderfully versatile at the table. Its lively acidity and moderate tannins make it an ideal companion to classic Piedmontese cuisine such as tajarin pasta with ragù, agnolotti del plin, or a succulent vitello tonnato. It also pairs beautifully with roast poultry, grilled pork, mushroom risotto, or even mature hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano. For something different, try it alongside a rustic pizza or aubergine parmigiana.

For optimal enjoyment, serve this wine slightly cooler than room temperature, ideally between 16 and 18°C. Decanting for 30 minutes can help the youthful fruit aromas to open up and reveal greater complexity. This Barbera d'Alba Superiore promises to delight now, but should also reward a few years of cellaring if you favour more developed tertiary nuances.