The legendary American actress Mae West said, “I’ll try anything once, twice if I like it, three times to make sure.” This month, we’ve got a wine you’ll definitely try twice: Barbera Barbera, a twice-as-good homage to two manifestations of one delicious grape.
Barbera Barbera is a harmonious blend of two Barbera grapes. One Barbera hailing from old-world Italy and the other Barbera from new-world California, a synchronizing bridge between two continents.
Most wine blends are an integration of multiple varieties, each selected for distinct contributions to the finished bottle. Cooper’s Hawk winemaker Rob Warren had the opportunity to source Barbera from Italian vineyards as well as from California growers to craft a wine with a charming, complex expression.
Barbera is thought to have originated in Piedmont in northwest Italy, one of the world’s most-admired growing regions. Italian Barbera is prized for its high acidity, juiciness, and low tannins—it is exceptionally food friendly and a major player in Italian wine history. For many years, it was the most-planted variety in the country (it’s second now only to Sangiovese).
New-world winemakers realized that the long growing season in California would encourage Barbera’s rich fruit and round spice components. American terroir and winemaking techniques bring out a ripe, fruit-forward profile, and plantings of Barbera are gaining popularity in vineyards all over California’s North Coast.
Wine Club Members know that Cooper’s Hawk offers a single-sourced Barbera. Fans of this wine will notice that Barbera Barbera has slightly softer tannins and darker fruit on the palate. Sample them side-by-side for a fun comparison.
If you like Rhône blends such as GSM2 or Cooper’s Hawk Lux Pinot Noir, give this wine a try (three times). Barbera Barbera is tremendous with food and really shines with Cooper’s Hawk Filet Mignon with Sherry-Glazed Mushrooms on the side. Italy and California are both in this bottle, a Cooper’s Hawk original with intercontinental layers of flavor and style.