From: Piedmont, Italy
Varietal: Barbera
Tasting Notes: A red with lots of dark-berry, asphalt and slate aromas and flavors. Full body, loads of fruit and a long, flavorful finish. Balsamico, too. Characterful. Refined and transparent style.
Pairing: Carnitas Tacos
Villa Sparina. Located in Monterotondo, the heart of Gavi DOC, Villa Sparina was founded by Mario Moccagatta. The winery is currently run by Mario, along with his two sons Stefano and Massimo. Head enologist Beppe Caviola, one of the foremost winemakers in Piemonte, has brought Gavi to new heights exploring the full potential of the Cortese grape. All of the Villa Sparina wine is produced from estate-grown fruit and is estate-bottled. The vineyards are overseen by agronomist Federico Curtaz, formerly of Gaja. They are increasingly oriented towards reducing yields, in an effort to achieve the highest possible quality. Harvest is delayed until the last possible moment, giving the wines great concentration and a wonderful balance of acidity and fruit.
