Bricco Carlina Barbera d’Asti Fontanavì – Organic

The sibling duo of Camilla and Francesco Scavino founded this small winery in 2014 at the foot of the medieval castle that towers over the village of Grinzane Cavour in Piedmont.  

The name “Bricco Carlina” is a reference to the farm of their grandmother where the family would celebrate and party, which is also the place where Camilla and Francesco began experimenting with winemaking as teenagers.

Vineyards are scattered between the hills of the Langhe and Monferrato, and farming is organic.  Bricco Carlina’s releases are progressive examples of Piedmont’s landscape – Deeply colored, opulent wines with tremendous purity and a sense of place. 

100% Barbera from a single vineyard.  Hand-picked grapes. Soft pressing of de-stemmed fruit with pre-fermentation maceration. Fermentation and maceration on the skins for approximately 10 -12 days at a controlled temperature of 22°C. The must is pumped over at least twice a day to improve the extraction of the color and varietal aromas. The malolactic fermentation is completed immediately after the alcoholic fermentation. The wine then ages for 7 months in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature and another 5 months in bottle before being released.

This is a fresh, un-oaked Barbera that pairs well with flavorsome soups, white meats, fowl, grilled meat, stockfish and salt cod, young cheeses but also chocolate and dry fruits.

The nose is upfront fruity, with acidic red berry aromas filling up the glass and hitting your taste buds with liveliness. Spices and herbs provide some depth and complexity: laurel leaves and black pepper are among those. Once settled in with some aeration, the wine is vibrant and filled with lively berry flavors.