Stella Giuseppe Stravisan Barbera d’Asti 2024

Stella Giuseppe is a family winery in the Monferrato hills of Piedmont, the part of north west Italy where Barbera has its home. This Stravisan is their entry level Barbera d'Asti, the style long known as the wine of the people for its freshness and easy drinking character. The grapes grow on the clay and limestone soils of Monferrato, where good water retention and a continental climate of warm days and cool nights preserve the grape's natural high acidity. Barbera ripens fully here while keeping that crisp acidic edge, and carries low tannin by nature. The wine is fermented and aged in stainless steel rather than oak, a choice that keeps the fruit clean and primary and avoids any wood spice. Malolactic fermentation rounds off the sharp malic acid for a softer mouthfeel without losing the lift. The result is a bright ruby red with aromas of sour cherry, redcurrant and a touch of rhubarb. The palate is light and juicy, low in tannin, with red berry fruit and a fresh acidic finish that makes it an easy match at the table. Serve at 14 to 16 degrees, lightly cooled if you like. It works with charcuterie, roast chicken and tomato based dishes.