Barbera, the most common and cultivated variety in Piedmont, is a grape capable of countless wine making expressions, today considered among the main protagonists of the Italian and international wine scene. Among the most significant and suited territories for this variety, it should certainly be mentioned Asti, and in particular Nizza Monferrato, considered as the most promising terroir for Barbera. Cascina Garitina, guest of the event and among the main protagonists of Nizza Monferrato's Barbera, is one of the few wineries which proven the versatility of the renowned Piedmontese red berried grape, from sparkling wines to sweet wines. To the event took part Mr. Gianluca Morino, owner and wine maker of Cascina Garitina, as well as president of "Associazione Produttori del Nizza" (Association of Nizza Producers), who told participants about the characteristics of Barbera and its history, as well as illustrating the six wines protagonist of the evening. The first wine of the evening has been Barbera d'Asti Superiore Caranti 2008, excellent expression of the fruity character of the grape and of its crispness, to which followed Barbera d'Asti Superiore Nizza Neuvsent 2007, wine of fuller body and allowed to age longer in cask. The event continued with two wines of the Monferrato appellation, produced with international grapes. The first one has been Monferrato Rosso Amis 2007, made from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes as well as a small part of Barbera, followed by Monferrato Rosso Alfero 2006, produced with 100% Pinot Noir, a wine of interesting personality, excellent Piedmontese expression of the famous grape from Burgundy. The event ended with two sweet wines, Rugiada 2007 - excellent wine produced with dried Barbera and aged in cask, in which sweetness is perfectly balanced by a pleasing crispness - and then, Brachetto d'Acqui Niades 2010, wine of pleasing character, not to much excessive in sweetness, also suited for being served as an aperitif wine. The sensorial tasting of wines has been conducted by Antonello Biancalana - chief editor of DiWineTaste - who also created the dishes paired to the wines.
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