Jean-Yves Péron I Vicini Barbera 2023

Jean-Yves Péron I Vicini Barbera is a natural red made in Piedmont from the Barbera grape, a project the Savoie winemaker began in 2017 alongside his Alpine wines. Péron trained in Bordeaux and under natural winemakers such as Thierry Allemand in the Rhône and Bruno Schueller in Alsace, and brings the same low-intervention approach here, farming organically and biodynamically and working old vineyards. Barbera is defined by its deep colour, ripe dark fruit and naturally high acidity with relatively soft tannins, which makes it a classic Piedmontese food wine. Grown on the region's calcareous marl soils, with warm days and cool nights to hold freshness, the fruit ripens fully, reaching 15 percent alcohol here while keeping its bright acid line. Fermentation runs on native yeasts with no additions, and time in wood rounds the texture without covering the fruit. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows dark cherry, plum and red berries with pepper and a touch of liquorice. On the palate it is full bodied and juicy, with soft tannins, vivid acidity and a savoury, earthy finish. Serve at 15 to 17 degrees. Good with pork, tomato-based dishes and grilled meats.