The Barbaresco denomination, like Barolo, is the source of very high-quality Nebbiolo wines. It is to be found 15 minutes by car northeast of the city of Alba. To qualify as Barbaresco, 100 per cent Nebbiolo grapes must be grown within the delimited area that includes the entire communes of Barbaresco, Neive and Treiso, plus the hamlet of San Rocco Seno d’Elvio, which for administrative purposes is within the commune of Alba.
The total vineyard area within the denomination is 1,668 hectares, of which around 738 hectares qualify as Nebbiolo for Barbaresco. Thus, the vineyard area producing Barbaresco is one-third of Barolo’s size. In addition to Nebbiolo, the area has plantings of Barbera and Dolcetto. The communes of Neive and Treiso also have a tradition of growing Moscato for Moscato d’Asti, as they are neighbours to the main Moscato-growing communes to the east. Because of the increased demand for Barbaresco, plantings of Nebbiolo rose markedly from 2000, adding 240 hectares, an increase of approximately 50 per cent. The commune of Barbaresco was already nearly fully planted by 2000; the recent increases have been in Neive and Treiso. In addition, many hectares of Nebbiolo have been planted that only qualify for Langhe DOC Nebbiolo.
Barbaresco vineyards and commune
In terms of subsoils, broadly speaking, the northern part of the denomination, including the commune of Barbaresco, has Sant’Agata Fossili Marls, while the southern part of Treiso and the southern tip of Neive are over Lequio Formation. A very important influence in Barbaresco is the proximity of the River Tanaro, which moderates temperature extremes, especially in the commune of Barbaresco, which is closer to the river than the other communes. The elevations within the denomination are typically lower than in Barolo, with Nebbiolo being grown typically between 250–350 m. In addition, Barbaresco is more affected by the heat coming from the vast plain of central northern Italy. Harvest dates are typically a week earlier than in Barolo, and the wines are generally approachable earlier and less tannic.
There are only sub-communal MGAs in Barbaresco DOCG; in other words, the denomination decided not to have communal MGAs. The sub-communal MGAs are mainly of a uniform and sensible size, especially in the commune of Barbaresco; they respect the traditional boundaries of vineyard areas. Neive and Treiso are much less densely planted than Barbaresco, and Neive is much larger. In the Neive and Treiso, the sub-communal MGAs tend to be much larger than those in the commune of Barbaresco.
Barbaresco (commune)
Sub-communal MGAs
All of the sub-communal MGAs in the Barbaresco commune have Sant’Agata Fossili Marls subsoils.
- Asili – This 14-hectare MGA surrounds the hill of the same name and, as a result, has a range of aspects. The south and southwest-facing vineyards are normally regarded as having the highest quality potential. While the influence of the River Tanaro is less than in neighbouring MGA Pora, Asili is still only half a kilometre from the river. The elevation is 200–290 m. Renato Ratti described it as a traditional subzone particularly suitable for vine growing, and iconic winemaker, Bruno Giacosa, bottled a Barbaresco Riserva Speciale from Asili in 1967, both testaments to its high quality potential.
- Faset – This 15-hectare MGA is unusually shaped. A section runs directly adjacent to the River Tanaro, concluding in a high point (Bricco Faset at 270 m). The rest of the MGA is mainly an amphitheatre of vineyards that extends away from the river. The lowest point is 200 m, and the aspect is principally southwest. The influence of the river is again important here. A small section faces northeast towards the village of Barbaresco. Faset, then spelt Fasset, was highly regarded by Renato Ratti.
- Rabajà – This MGA is famous for its more structured, powerful expressions of Barbaresco, with a good number of very famous owners with plots here. Renato Ratti described it as a traditional subzone particularly suitable for vine growing. Just over 15 hectares in size, 95 per cent is planted to Nebbiolo. The elevation ranges from 235 to 215 m, and the aspect ranges from west to southwest. The Cascina Luisin plots are mid-slope and face southwest.
- Rabajà-Bas – At just 1.81 hectares of land, this is the smallest MGA in the Barbaresco denomination, but with a historically high reputation due to the wines of the Minuto family at Cascina Luisin (see profile). In the creation of the modern MGAs, it was separated from the larger Rabajà MGA by a section of Muncagotta MGA. The elevation is 265–285, and the vineyard is mainly west-facing. Apart from Cascina Luisin, the only other grower in this MGA is Castello di Verduno, the Barolo company, but one that has important vineyards in Barbaresco.
