2019 Marchesi Alfieri, Barbera d’Asti, Tota 6x75cl

Piemonte via Toscana? Well, in this case, yes. For Alfieri’s winemaker Mario Olivero has a holiday apartment in the picturesque village of Sant’Angelo in Colle, Montalcino. There, he met Giugi Sesti, and the pair got along famously. So, when Giugi suggested we visit Mario on our next trip, who were we to say no?

Here’s an estate that has some proper history behind it, having been founded in 1696. And it is still Alfieri descendants (Emanuela, Antonella, and Giovanna) that own the property, with its castle and park, as well as the 21 hectares of vineyards (probably first planted in the 14th century). It is the Barbera grape that forms the backbone to the production, as is typical in the commune of Asti, giving two wines: (the anything but) ‘regular’ La Tota, and rich, opulent, single-plot Alfiera. And there’s also a superb Pinot Nero (Noir) called San Germano that could easily rival a Côte de Beaune.