This is a wine of strong character of Barbera varietal, with a spicy and elegant body. On the nose, you'll enjoy pepper, red cherry, plum, raspberry, cedar, a little dark chocolate and some leather. On the palate it's dry and high acid with medium tannins. Great intensity and lovely finish. It is supple with beautiful clarity and shape in the mouth, tension and harmony between fresh juicy fruity acid and elegance.

Service: Best served at 17-19°C.

Food Pairing: Berry aromas, good acidity and light tannins make Barbera d'Alba a perfect food wine. It pairs well with rich foods, meats, and earthy mushrooms, as well as with lighter types of grilled meat, pasta and tomato based dishes. Since this is an intense expression of Barbera, it will also work well with richer dishes and sauces.

Winemaking is now overseen by Gianfranco's daughters Martha and Vittoria. Martha studied wine in D’Alba, and the sisters have complementary skillsets bridging both “science” and “art” in the winemaking process.

This family business was founded during World War II by Vittoria’s grandparents, who began farming orchard fruits, hazelnuts and vines. Today, the 10-hectare estate is run by two generations of the family.

Gianfranco Alessandria is a small family-owned winery located just outside of Monforte d'Alba, a small village in the Barolo area that over time has attracted the attention of the lovers against the Langa, helping them to discover the history, scenery, food, wines of the area, as well as boasting one of the most picturesque views of the Alps.

A man blessed among women, Gianfranco Alessandria along with his wife Bruna and two daughters Marta and Vittoria, who are fully experienced in all the production phases of the cellar, carry on the family tradition started by his grandparents in 1940, when his grandfather became a grape grower.

Today they work with 8 hectares of vineyards divided between Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto, in the San Giovanni locality, which is situated in the area of some of Monforte's best-known Crus. All the vineyards have a south-east exposition, which allows Gianfranco Alessandria to produce wines of great structure, with freshness and elegance and longevity.

1* Up & Coming

DOCG rules in Italy greatly restrict what vineyards are able to do (e.g. the planting of trees within vine-designated land is not currently allowed, limiting options for estates to increase biodiversity). But Vittoria’s aim is for the estate to produce the highest quality low-intervention wines, which are produced with respect for people and respect for nature. Although as yet uncertified, the vineyard has been practising organic viticulture since 2015.

Red | Still | 75cl | 15% ABV | SO2 65 mg/L

Production: 4,000 bottles

Cellaring: Drink now, but will also develop over 10-15 years

Vinification: 18 months, little french oak (225lt) - 30 % new, the rest neutral

Vineyard last visited by Wine&Earth's Martin & Archie in Autumn 2022

• Organic - Practising (Uncertified)