Barbera’s fruit-forward aromatics and high yields make this a popular grape worldwide, particularly in Italy’s Piedmont region, the grape’s spiritual home.  

“Barbera is a go-to grape for many Italians,” says Jeff Porter, Wine Enthusiast writer at large and Italian wine reviewer. “And depending on if you find it from Nizza, Asti, Alba or Oltrepò Pavese, the wine takes on unique traits from each region—showing how terroir-specific it can be.”