Palás Barbera d’Asti DOCG 2024 - Michele Chiarlo x 6

Artisanal Hillside Viticulture: The Production Vision by Michele Chiarlo

The Michele Chiarlo winery interprets winemaking through a meticulous and constant vision, where every single phase is designed to guarantee the full varietal recognition of the fruit. This approach builds on agronomic practices respectful of the natural evolution of the rows, protecting biodiversity and the overall balance of the ecosystem. Within the hillside vineyards, the estate privileges organic fertilization, managed grass-infusion, and green manure with nutrient-rich crops. Careful green pruning operations and targeted yield reductions are managed vine by vine, following an artisanal philosophy that considers each cluster a unique microcosm endowed with its own expressive identity.

Agronomic Notes: The Asti Terroir and Protective Cellar Protocol

The vineyards delve their roots into hillside soils with a marly-limestone matrix—a pedoclimatic conformation ideal for emphasizing the sharp acidic backbone and extractive richness of the Barbera variety. The seasonal trend favored an optimal development of the clusters, allowing the winery to gather healthy fruit rich in aromatic. Following the manual harvest, the cellar protocol applies strict technological criteria to safeguard the grape's original freshness. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with gentle extractions, followed by a calibrated rest in steel designed to keep the wine agile, vibrant, and completely free of oak contact.

Sensory Profile and Organoleptic Assessment

Vinification conducted entirely in stainless steel combined with the natural liveliness of the varietal outlines a sensory profile centered on sharp freshness for this characteristic red wine from Piemonte.

• Blend and Classification: 100% Barbera / Barbera d'Asti DOCG / Still red wine.
• Analytical Data: Alcohol Content: 13.50% Vol. / Exclusive maturation in stainless steel / Volume: 750 ml.
• Visual Assessment: Deep, brilliant ruby red color, crossed by vivid and youthful violet highlights upon swirling in the glass, demonstrating excellent chromatic freshness.
• Olfactory Framework: Broad, clean, and markedly fruity bouquet. A symphony of consistent scents emerges on the nose, dominated by sharp hints of ripe red fruit, crisp cherry, and blueberry juice, beautifully integrated with subtle background herbaceous fragrances and light sweet spicy nuances.
• Palate Characteristics: The tasting reveals a straight, vibrant profile enlivened by a beautiful natural acidity. The progression displays a harmonious, medium body supported by a pleasant mineral sapidity that encourages immediate appeal. The sip, smooth and refreshing, develops linearly towards a clean finish, leaving with a characteristic slightly bitter aftertaste that perfectly cleanses the mouth.

Service Guidelines and Gastronomic Pairings

The structural fluidity and sharp freshness of this Barbera d'Asti determine remarkable service versatility throughout the meal, making it an ideal partner for traditional Piedmontese cuisine and flavorful cross-functional matches.

• Stable Pairings: Perfect as an all-around dining red wine, it pairs magnificently alongside traditional regional dishes, first courses featuring meat sauces, baked lasagne, and vegetable first courses enriched with mutton. It excels paired alongside grilled red meat second courses, savory donkey stew, savoy cabbage stew, flavorful meat chops enriched by spicy nuances, and rich preparations based on game. It displays surprising synergies when paired with traditional specialties like Neapolitan casatiello.
• Serving Method: To promote the development of the fragrant fruity profile and enhance the responsiveness of the wine, the use of a wide tasting glass of Ballon type at a serving temperature of 16 - 18°C is highly recommended.