April 14, 2008
I attend a monthly wine tasting at one of the best coffee houses in Auburn (Courthouse Coffee). Pescatore Winery, a northern California Foothills winery located in Newcastle, CA, is on the top of my list for a great Barbera. I’m lucky to live in the Foothills so I’ve been able to taste some delicious local samples (ok, I’ve drunk a lot of the local wine).
Barbera, Italy’s most common red grape grown in the Piedmont Region, boasts a light, crisp fruity taste. The color resembles a shade lighter than a Merlot. Barbera is a sexy red that is perfect for the warmer spring weather. The grape is highly acidic and it grows well in hot climates. Because of the warmer climates in California, Barbera wines are making a favorable appearance here in California.
Barbera has been touted as a “fad” wine, but there is nothing trendy about this wine. It’s a timeless classic red that is a bit lighter and more fruity than more fuller-bodied Italian red wines.
Here are some other local northern California wineries that produce a comparable Barbera: Sobon Family Vineyards (Amador County) 2004 ReZerve Barbera and Renwood (Amador County) 1997 Barbera.
You don’t have to travel to Italy to enjoy a delicious Barbera. Just look to the hills of northern California for a true Barbera tasting experience.
Happy Tasting!
