Wines Barbera d'Asti Braida - Montebruna - 2022

Viniou Reviews

The Braida Montebruna 2022 hails from the renowned Barbera d’Asti DOC in Piedmont, in northern Italy. Crafted exclusively from the Barbera grape, this wine exemplifies the expressive character and potential of the varietal. The 2022 vintage benefited from a generally warm yet balanced growing season, imparting ripe fruit flavours while maintaining the grape’s signature freshness. The Montebruna cuvée is typically sourced from a single vineyard with sandy and clay-rich soils, enhancing both the aromatic intensity and structural elegance of the wine. Vinification is modern and precise, with temperature-controlled fermentation and maturation in large oak barrels, allowing the purity of the Barbera to shine while softening its naturally vibrant acidity and tannin.

Piedmont is one of Italy’s most prestigious wine regions, nestled at the foot of the Alps. The region’s continental climate, marked by hot summers and cold winters, combined with marl, sand, and clay soils, creates ideal conditions for slow-ripening grapes like Barbera. The historical legacy of Barbera in Asti spans centuries, with the grape highly valued for its ability to produce generous, food-friendly reds. Barbera d'Asti wines in particular are esteemed for their charm, versatility, and the balance between fruit-forward exuberance and savoury complexity.

With its juicy cherry, plum and blackberry notes layered with hints of violet and delicate spice, Montebruna 2022 is a wonderful match for a range of dishes. It pairs beautifully with traditional Piemontese cuisine such as agnolotti del plin (meat-filled pasta) and brasato al Barbera (beef braised in Barbera wine). It will also complement hearty ragù sauces, roast pork, or mushroom risotto, as well as hard Italian cheeses like Grana Padano.

For optimal enjoyment, serve this wine slightly below room temperature, ideally between 16°C and 18°C. If young, decanting can help open up the aromas. Braida Montebruna 2022 can be enjoyed now for its freshness and vibrancy, but it also has the structure to evolve gracefully over the next few years.