Ercole Barbera Monferrato 1ltr 21

If you're a regular reader of my newsletter, you'll know that here at the AWM, we have a special affection for Coop wines. A collective group of growers across many families produces these wines with a shared vision and a sharp focus on quality and value. In many cases, I feel that Coop wines rival their estate counterparts with wines that perfectly reflect their local terroir.

By supporting Coop wines, we directly support local communities and ensure small-scale growers' livelihood. The terrific balance between quality and value has always made Coop wines a favorite with AWM customers and staff. This is exactly how importer Weston Hoard, aka "The Piedmont Wine Guy," sources his Ercole Monferrato Barbera.

Weston Hoard is a well-known figure in the world of Piedmont wines and is affectionately referred to as "The Piedmont Wine Guy." The title is well deserved; before establishing his company, also named "The Piedmont Wine Guy," Weston immersed himself in the wine culture of Italy's Piedmont region.

He worked harvests and participated in crushes, gleaning an intimate understanding of the Piemonte and its wine. With this wealth of knowledge, he returned to the US and formed his own company, acting as a bridge between Italian vineyards and American wine lovers.

Barbera thrives in Italy's Piedmont region and is prized for its deep, dark red fruits and bright acidity. While it's one of Italy's most widely planted grapes, here in the Piedmont, particularly in areas like Coconato, it's a practically transparent expression of the grape.

For sheer value, it's hard to beat the Ercole Barbera del Monferrato DOC. For the price of a 750, you're getting a full liter of outstanding Barbera from the Monferrato DOC. In your glass, you're greeted immediately by its vibrant ruby-red hue. After a quick swirl or two, you'll love the notes of ripe red berries, cherries, and hints of earth and spice. On the palate, the lively freshness is nicely balanced with plush fruit and subtle underpinnings of earth and leather.

The robust fruit and lifted palate of this best-buy liter of Barbera make it a super-versatile wine for food pairings. Traditional Piedmontese dishes, such as Agnolotti del Plin (tiny meat-filled pasta) or Brasato al Barolo (beef braised in wine), are classic matches; however, it'll be equally at home with hearty stews, grilled meats, and just about any pasta-pizza preparation.