Barbera d'Alba

In La Morra, Alberto Crissante Alessandria is best known for Barolo, but his Barbera deserves just as much attention. Rather than pushing the grape towards richness and power, he takes a different route. This is a fresher, more agile expression of Barbera that still stays true to the variety and the hills of Piemonte. It's the kind of bottle that shows how much character can come from doing less, not more.

In the glass, this is a medium-bodied red that feels lively and easy to return to. It has the unmistakable personality of Barbera, but with a lighter touch than many examples from the region. Serve it with soups, quiche, ratatouille, or a vegetable risotto. A versatile bottle for the table, especially when food is involved.