Home to Piedmont in Italy, Barbera is Italy’s third most popular red wine producing vine. Traditionally used in blends to add color and acidity, it is now more frequently bottled as a varietal wine. The grape produces relatively fruit forward wines often with a red fruit note of cranberries, redcurrants, and cherries. Although most are made for near term drinking, in good vintages it can successfully be married with oak, adding tannin and a spicy character that can benefit from a few years cellaring. Along with a few of Italy’s other popular grapes it is occasionally found in vineyards dotted across California.