Stella Giuseppe Giaiet Barbera d’Asti Superiore 2023

Stella Giuseppe is a family winery founded in 1920 in the Monferrato hills of Piedmont, in north west Italy. This is their Giaiet, a single variety Barbera made within the DOCG Barbera d'Asti Superiore. The vineyards sit on calcareous marl soils typical of Monferrato, where the combination of clay and limestone holds water through the dry late summer and lends the wine its firm acidic backbone. The continental climate brings warm days and cool nights across the ripening season, slowing sugar accumulation so the grapes reach full flavour while keeping their natural freshness. Barbera is naturally low in tannin and high in acidity, and the Superiore designation calls for extended ageing, here in oak, which adds a fine grain of tannin and a savoury spice frame. Malolactic fermentation softens the sharp malic acid into rounder lactic acid, giving the palate more weight. The wine is deep ruby with aromas of black cherry, ripe plum and dried herbs. The palate is full and juicy, with red and dark berry fruit, black pepper and a liquorice edge, closing long and savoury. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees. It suits braised beef, roast pork and tomato based pasta.