# Barbera d'Alba D.O.C. Superiore (2020)

- **Producer:** Livia Fontana
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** 100% Barbera
- **Region:** Piemonte, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 15.5%
- **Average price:** €30
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** black cherry, black plum, ripe fruit, vanilla, sweet spice

## About this wine

The Livia Fontana Barbera d'Alba Superiore D.O.C. 2020 is a 100% Barbera from Castiglione Falletto in Piedmont, Italy. This Superiore designation signifies a wine of higher quality, often with extended aging. The Fontana family, with a winemaking legacy of approximately two centuries, produces this wine from vineyards situated at 300-350 meters elevation on marl soils. The grapes are hand-picked and undergo a meticulous selection process before fermentation in steel tanks. The wine is then aged for 20 to 30 months in traditional oak barrels, followed by bottle aging. The 2020 vintage is noted for its plump, robust character and ripe fruit, earning a 90-point score from James Suckling.

## Interesting facts

- Vineyards are between 20-40 years old.
- Aged for 20-30 months in oak barrels.
- Annual production is around 1,000 cases.
- Received 90/100 from James Suckling for the 2020 vintage.

## Food pairing

The wine's notable freshness and full body can stand up to rich, structured dishes. Its fruit-forward character complements sweet tendencies in food, while its intensity pairs well with red meats and robust flavors. The acidity helps cut through richer sauces and fats.

## Wine making process

The production of Livia Fontana's Barbera d'Alba Superiore D.O.C. begins with hand-harvested grapes, meticulously selected both in the vineyard and on a vibrating table. The fruit is lightly crushed and undergoes fermentation in steel tanks under controlled temperatures for approximately 15 days, including maceration. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for 20 to 30 months in traditional oak barrels. It is then further aged in the bottle in an underground cellar before release. The estate's vineyards in Castiglione Falletto are approximately 2 hectares, with vines aged between 20 and 40 years.