# Bricco Sereno Barbera d’Asti Superiore (2020)

- **Producer:** Tenuta la Meridiana
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Barbera
- **Region:** Piemonte, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €21
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 18–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** black cherry, red plum, red cherry, cedar, cloves, vanilla, earth, wet stones

## About this wine

Bricco Sereno Barbera d’Asti Superiore is produced by Tenuta la Meridiana, a family winery with roots in the 19th century, now managed by the fifth generation of the Bianco family. The wine originates from the 'Bricco Sereno' vineyard, translating to 'Sunshine Hill,' signifying its prime, sun-exposed location. This specific vineyard is noted for its unique soil composition, which contributes a marked mineral character to the wine. The estate's sundial logo is a nod to its historical distinction in the local village. The wine hails from the Asti sub-region of Piedmont, Italy, an area recognized for its significant contributions to Italian viticulture.

## Interesting facts

- Vineyard translates to 'Sunshine Hill'.
- Producer's logo is a sundial.
- Fifth generation of winemakers.
- Piedmont is Italy's second-largest wine region.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body and plush tannins can stand up to rich protein dishes. Its inherent acidity cuts through the richness of fatty meats and creamy sauces, cleansing the palate. The marked red fruit character can complement both savory and slightly sweet elements in dishes.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for Bricco Sereno Barbera d’Asti Superiore begins with destemmed but uncrushed grapes, preserving whole berries. A cold pre-fermentation maceration is followed by alcoholic fermentation with gentle techniques like pump-overs and delestage. After racking, fermentation continues without skins, and malolactic fermentation takes place. The wine is then aged for approximately 24 months, split between small French oak barriques and large Slovenian oak barrels. Vineyard management emphasizes careful manual labor and grape selection, including thinning techniques, to achieve high-quality fruit. The producer's philosophy focuses on expressing terroir through a combination of tradition and innovation, with a commitment to sustainability.