Buy Barbaresco wine directly from the winemaker
Barbaresco is a red wine from Piedmont made from 100% Nebbiolo, from a small zone east of Alba. It is Barolo's neighbour and is often called the queen of Piedmont: the same grape, but finer, more fragrant and approachable sooner. A good Barbaresco combines the scent of roses and cherries with a silky structure and a long, fresh finish.
At ONWINE you buy Barbaresco directly from the winemaker, with no importer in between. You put together a case of six bottles per winemaker and pay €8 shipping per case.
What is Barbaresco and which grape is it made from?
Barbaresco is a protected origin, Barbaresco DOCG, not a grape. The wine must be made from 100% Nebbiolo, the late ripening grape of the Langhe. The name comes from the village of Barbaresco, with its medieval tower above the Tanaro river. In the late nineteenth century, Domizio Cavazza, head of the wine school in Alba, put the wine on the map by vinifying Nebbiolo from Barbaresco separately. In 1980 Barbaresco, together with Barolo, became one of the first Italian wines to receive DOCG status.
The rules: ageing of Barbaresco and Barbaresco Riserva
A Barbaresco ages for at least 26 months, counted from 1 November of the harvest year, with at least 9 months in wooden casks. A Barbaresco Riserva ages for at least 50 months. The minimum alcohol is 12.5%. Many winemakers age their wine longer than the rules require, in large oak casks or smaller tonneaux. View all Barbaresco →
Barbaresco or Barolo: what is the difference?
Barbaresco and Barolo lie less than twenty kilometres apart and use the same grape. Yet they taste different. The Barbaresco zone sits closer to the Tanaro and on average slightly lower, so it is a little warmer. Nebbiolo ripens earlier there and is often picked a week or two sooner. That gives wines with softer tannins, more perfume and a finer structure. Barolo is on average more powerful and tannic.
The rules differ too. Barbaresco ages for at least 26 months, Barolo for at least 38. As a result Barbaresco is often ready to drink sooner and usually a little more affordable, while the best bottles can age just as long as a Barolo. The zone is also much smaller, which makes a Barbaresco from a small winemaker a real find.
The villages of Barbaresco: Barbaresco, Neive and Treiso
The appellation covers three villages and the hamlet of San Rocco Seno d'Elvio, which belongs to Alba. Each village has its own character.
Barbaresco
Around the village itself lie some of the most famous vineyards, such as Asili, Rabajà, Martinenga, Montestefano, Pajè and Ovello. The wines are fragrant, refined and balanced.
Neive
Neive is the largest village and often gives the most powerful and structured Barbaresco, from vineyards such as Gallina, Albesani, Starderi, Serraboella and Fausoni. Francone, for example, makes the 'Fausoni' Barbaresco DOCG.
Treiso
Treiso lies highest. It produces fresh, slender wines with bright acidity, from crus such as Pajorè, Bernardot and Rizzi.
MGA: how to read a Barbaresco label
Since 2007 Barbaresco has had official crus, the Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive or MGA. There are 66 of them. When an MGA appears on the label, all the grapes come from that single vineyard. A Barbaresco without a cru is usually a blend of several plots and therefore often more approachable. The label also shows the vintage, the DOCG mention and possibly Riserva. The word Vigna may only appear next to an MGA and requires a lower yield. Winemakers such as Canonica, La Trava, Montalbera and Cantine Pietraforata each bring their own interpretation, from classic to modern.
Barbaresco wine price: what are you paying for?
The price of a Barbaresco depends on its origin, its ageing and the size of the estate. A cru or Riserva costs more than a Barbaresco blended from several plots, because the yield is smaller and the wine spends longer in the cellar. The whole zone is small, so supply is limited. When you buy directly from the winemaker, you pay no margin to an importer or wholesaler. For everyday Nebbiolo, Langhe Nebbiolo and Nebbiolo d'Alba are the young, juicy alternative. View other Nebbiolo →
Storing, serving and pairing Barbaresco with food
A Barbaresco is often drinking beautifully after five to eight years and lasts twenty years or more, with a Riserva or a cru from Neive usually lasting longest. Store the bottle lying down, in the dark and at 12 to 14 degrees. Give a young Barbaresco an hour in a decanter and serve at 16 to 18 degrees in a large glass.
At the table, Barbaresco goes with vitello tonnato, veal, rabbit, duck, mushroom risotto and tajarin with truffle. Aged cheeses and game stews work well too, although a young wine asks for fat and protein because of its tannins. Looking for something lighter for the table? Try Barbera, or explore all Italian red wines.
Frequently asked questions about Barbaresco
What is Barbaresco wine?
Barbaresco is a dry red wine from Piedmont, made from 100% Nebbiolo. It comes from the villages of Barbaresco, Neive and Treiso and a small part of Alba. It has been a DOCG since 1980. The wine ages for at least 26 months and is known for its scent of roses and cherry and its fine tannins.
What is the difference between Barbaresco and Barolo?
Both are 100% Nebbiolo from the Langhe, but Barbaresco is usually more elegant and ready sooner. The zone lies closer to the Tanaro and is slightly warmer, so the grapes ripen earlier. Barbaresco ages for at least 26 months, Barolo for at least 38. Barolo is on average more powerful and tannic.
How much does a good Barbaresco cost?
A good Barbaresco usually sits a little below the price of a comparable Barolo. The price rises for a cru or Riserva, because the yield is smaller and the wine ages longer. Small winemakers who sell directly often offer the best balance of price and quality, with no importer or wholesaler margin.
Which grape is Barbaresco made from?
Barbaresco is always made from 100% Nebbiolo. It is the same grape as in Barolo, Langhe Nebbiolo and Nebbiolo d'Alba. Nebbiolo ripens late, gives a pale colour but plenty of tannin and acidity, and smells of roses, cherry and herbs. No other grapes are allowed in Barbaresco.
How long does Barbaresco age before release?
A Barbaresco ages for at least 26 months from 1 November of the harvest year, with at least 9 months in wood. A Barbaresco Riserva ages for at least 50 months. Many winemakers go beyond these minimums, especially for their crus, so the wine is already rounder and more open when released.
What does a cru or MGA mean on a Barbaresco?
An MGA is an officially named vineyard within Barbaresco. There are 66 of them, such as Asili, Rabajà, Gallina and Fausoni. When the name is on the label, all the grapes come from that vineyard. That is where you taste the difference between the villages of Barbaresco, Neive and Treiso most clearly.
How long can you keep Barbaresco?
You can keep a good Barbaresco for fifteen to twenty years, a Riserva or cru often longer. Many bottles are already drinking beautifully after five to eight years. Store the bottle lying down, in the dark and at a constant 12 to 14 degrees so the wine can mature calmly.
Should you decant Barbaresco?
A young Barbaresco improves with about an hour in a decanter: the aromas open up and the tannins soften. An older bottle you decant mainly to separate the sediment, just before serving. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees in a large, round glass.
What goes with Barbaresco?
Barbaresco suits the cooking of Piedmont: vitello tonnato, veal, rabbit, duck, mushroom risotto and tajarin with truffle. Aged cheeses and game stews are a good match too. Thanks to its fine tannins, Barbaresco is a little more versatile at the table than a powerful Barolo.
What does shipping cost?
You order a case of six bottles per winemaker, mixed as you like. Shipping is €8 per case and the wine comes straight from the winemaker to you.
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