Damilano Barbera d'Alba a Good Red for Osteria Giotto, Trattoria Rustica or Pizzeria Ah Pizz

Damilano is one of the best “new-generation” wine makers in Piedmont, where Barbera is made. Wine Spectator writers James Suckling along with Jo Cooke and Rosanne Quagliata noted Damilano as one of the Wineries to Watch in Piedmont in 2008.

Actually Paolo Damilano has been hard at work along with wine maker Giuseppe Caviolasince since 1998 when he took over operations of the vineyard which had been producing wine since the 1800's.  

Naturally, being in Piemonte, their focus is on Barola, but fortunately they also produce a couple of thousand cases of this excellent Barbera. 

We enjoyed with a delicious Eggplant Parmesan I made for dinner, the comments were; "This is real Italian wine, just what I hoped for. Delicious."

It would also go well with the dishes served at our great Italian restaurants in Montclair, like Osteria Giotto, Trattoria Rustica or Pizzeria Ah Pizz. Selling for $14-17, on average, it is a great buy, available at many shops in the region.

 

The wine maker says "Intense ruby red color. Aromas of blueberry, cherry and strawberry with hints of spice such as cinnamon, vanilla and pepper. Full-bodied, inviting, sapid with a good balance between acidity and softness. Perfect for first courses with meat sauces, grilled and stewed red meats."

 

Wine & Spirits gave the wine 90 points and said "A straightforward, chewy Barbera, this charms with its soft, primary flavors. It feels young and fresh, with lasting scents of blueberry and plum. A match for sausage pizza."

Barbera is a classic grape of the Piedmont (Piemonte) region of Northern Italy, It is very popular in Northwest Italy and with Italian wine lovers throughout the world who are looking for a less pricey alternative to the worldly famous, but very expensive, Barola's produced in the region. The grape has also found its way to California where wineries are starting to grow this grape. It produces medium-bodied wines with lively red fruit flavors plum and violet and earth. Tannins are very light.