Barbera may never be as highly regarded as Nebbiolo (the grape that makes Barolo and Barbaresco), but in the Asti province of Piedmont it is the lifeblood of local vintners. For the past five decades, winemakers here have laboured to improve both the quality and reputation of the grape, with the most ambitious and successful enterprise being the creation of the Nizza DOC – originally a subzone of Barbera d’Asti Superiore – in 2000. Along with well-defined boundaries, what makes the wines of Nizza stand out is that the production regulations stipulate low yields – lower even than for Barbaresco. ‘This means that you typically need an old vineyard that produces less quantity’, explains Stefano Chiarlo, director of the Nizza consorzio.
Aromas of wild strawberry, black cherry, coriander, thyme and a hint of cranberry. The Michele Chiarlo La Court Riserva Nizza 2021 has an explosive mid-palate, lively acidity, medium-weight tannins, beautifully integrated tannins and excellent persistence; the finish offers notes of myrtle and peppercorn. A very impressive combination of perfectly ripe fruit with distinctive terroir.
Excerpt Taken From: Decanter
Author: Tom Hyland
