Barbera d'Asti DOC La Guera

The La Guera is the flagship Barbera from Carlo Santopietro — a wine that shows what the grape variety can achieve when you treat it with the necessary seriousness. Il Mongetto is located in Monferrato, that hilly wine-growing region in Piedmont that long stood in the shadow of the great Barolo communities and is now known for artisanally precise Barbera wines.

In the glass, the La Guera opens with aromas of ripe plum and dark cherry, underlaid by roasted aromas and a hint of dark chocolate. The lively acidity typical of Barbera is present, but embedded in a dense, round body — the tannin appears ripe and fits in without edges. The finish is long, slightly spicy, with an aftertaste of cocoa.

Drink it with braised lamb with rosemary, with Brasato al Barolo, or with an aged Parmigiano Reggiano. Hearty pasta dishes with meat ragù also pair well. Serving temperature: 16–18 °C — if too warm, it loses the freshness that distinguishes it from heavier red wines.