Ca' del Baio 'Paolina' Barbera d'Alba, Piedmont, Italy

A rush of vibrant red fruit lifts effortlessly from the glass as 2023 Ca’ del Baio ‘Paolina’ Barbera d’Alba announces itself with charm, energy, and unmistakable Piedmontese soul. Juicy, generous, and irresistibly food-friendly, this is the kind of wine that earns a permanent place at the table, equally at home on a quiet weeknight or poured generously for a crowd.

Product Details:

• Owners: Grasso Family
• Grapes: 100% Barbera
• ABV: 14.5%
• Closure: Natural cork
• Vineyard Planting: Since 1960
• Soils: Medium-textured limestone with sandy components
• Exposure: South/East, South/West, West
• Harvest: Early October
• Fermentation: On-the-skins fermentation for 7–10 days in stainless steel at controlled temperature; malolactic fermentation completed
• Aging: 12 months in oak casks; minimum 3 months in bottle before release
• Farming: Sustainable; adheres to The Green Experience guidelines

Sensory Description:

Deep ruby red with vivid purple reflections, the wine opens with a vinous and intensely fruity bouquet marked by blackcurrant, raspberry, and ripe red berries. On the palate, Barbera’s signature acidity provides lift and freshness, balanced by a supple, velvety texture that keeps the wine generous rather than sharp. The finish is rich, vibrant, and persistent, leaving a mouthwatering impression that invites another sip.

Winemaker's Background:

Ca’ del Baio is a family-run estate rooted in the Langhe, best known for its refined Barbaresco wines and a deeply held commitment to sustainable viticulture. Guided by long experience and intimate vineyard knowledge, the family farms with respect for both land and people, eschewing chemical fertilizers and synthetic herbicides, practicing green manure between rows, and carefully managing vine balance through attentive pruning. In the cellar, native yeasts are favored to preserve authentic expression, with sulfur kept to the bare minimum. The winery is a proud participant in The Green Experience, a sustainability initiative born in the UNESCO World Heritage hills of Piedmont, dedicated to biodiversity, soil health, landscape preservation, and transparency for the consumer.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at around 17°C in a generous red wine glass. This Barbera is remarkably versatile at the table, pairing effortlessly with pizza, burgers, cured meats, stewed dishes, and classic Piedmontese fare such as mixed boiled meats or anchovy-garlic bagna caoda. It also complements medium-aged, full-fat cheeses and casual party spreads with equal ease. Ready to enjoy just over a year after harvest, it will drink beautifully for 5-8 years or longer in favorable vintages.

Lively, approachable, and endlessly adaptable, 2023 Ca’ del Baio ‘Paolina’ Barbera d’Alba delivers exactly what great Barbera should: bright fruit, refreshing acidity, and pure pleasure by the glass or by the case.