This wine is a find.
Domenico found this simple, young, eminently drinkable wine at the TGV meeting in Rapallo in early June. The modest Pietro Cirio was on hand to pour his wines, and they represent a huge bargain at relatively few euros a bottle.
This one is made from 100% Barbera in the Barbera d'Asti DOC. The grapes are grown on the property of the Fratelli Cirio (Cirio Brothers), according to organic, minimally interventional techniques. The estate is rather small (22 hectares, or roughly 55 acres), but Pietro and Mario Cirio grow Barbera DOC, Dolcetto DOC, Chardonnay Piemonte DOC and Moscato DOCG on their property. This Barbera d'Asti is a wholesome everyday sipper that goes well with most meals.
The wine is rather light and cherry-blackberry flavored, and it finishes with a hint of pine or cedar forest. Simple, straightforward, pleasant.
Pianbello's Barbera d'Asti isn't currently available in the States, but it should be. It outshines every house wine I've found in New York or elsewhere, a clean, delicious and unbarriqued Barbera d'Asti. Just the sort of thing I love.
Pianbello also produces and bottles a 375 ml. barriqued version of this Barbera d'Asti if you must have the toasty taste of oak in your wine.
It isn't currently available in the US, but someone seems to be interested in it. Quite a lovely wine for what I imagine would be about $10-12 retail.
In photo: Pietro Cirio of Pianbello
Dear Terry, I agree with your tasting note but the top wine of Pietro is the Moscato d'Asti Docg 2006. I think that this Moscato d'Asti is one of the best of Piemonte and it has a superlative price : only 3,50 € each (buyers price).
Posted by: Filippo Ronco | July 23, 2007 at 08:00 AM
I have that one in the frigo.
I have tried the Chardonnay, which is simple and flavorful with a touch of sweetness on the finish. True to the grape, not oaky and vanilla-y.
The prices are stupendously low for the quality offered.
Posted by: Terry Hughes | July 23, 2007 at 08:03 AM
Good man ! So, try it with an apple pie, with "pastafrolla" cake or cookies. Bye, Fil.
Posted by: Filippo Ronco | July 23, 2007 at 10:51 AM