Bricco dell'Uccellone Barbera d'Asti DOCG 1,5 l Magnum - Braida

The Bricco dell'Uccellone Barbera d'Asti DOCG 1.5 l Magnum from Braida presents itself in the glass with a dense, sparkling ruby red color and purple highlights. The rich color already hints at high concentration and ripe grapes. On the nose, a multi-layered bouquet unfolds with dark fruit and cool spice. Blueberries appear juicy and clear, while red currants bring refined freshness and firm tension. Fine notes of mint and lemon balm join in, lending the aroma an elegant and stimulating character.

Already with the first swirl, dense aromas of wild berries rise from the glass. Ripe blueberries evoke warm summer days in the forest, while red currant adds a touch of crisp acidity. The delicately herbal character of mint and lemon balm comes across as cooling and clear. In the background, subtle hints of sweet spice appear, such as light tobacco, cocoa and a touch of licorice. This combination gives the wine depth and tension.

On the palate, this red wine is dry, dense and yet silky. The fruit is precise and ripe, never heavy. Blueberry and red currant form the backbone, joined by a fine hint of black cherry. The herbal notes of mint and lemon balm provide a refreshing, almost cool line. The structure is powerful, the alcohol well integrated. The vibrant acidity of the Barbera lends freshness and length. The harmonious tannins are ripe, fine and yet present, which makes the wine juicy and forceful.

At mid-palate, the wine’s opulent character comes fully into its own. The texture is soft and dense, almost creamy, yet always with clear contours. Maturation in wood brings subtle toasted notes, such as fine vanilla, a touch of cedarwood and a hint of coffee. These aromas support the intense fruit without overpowering it. The finish is very long and elegant, carried by sweet berry fruit, fresh acidity and a delicate echo of herbs.

The aromatic profile can be broken down into the following nuances:

1. Dark fruit: blueberry, black cherry, a touch of blackberry, dense and juicy.
2. Red fruit: red currant, sour cherry, ripe raspberry, with clear freshness.
3. Herbs: mint, lemon balm, fine herbal spice that brings cool clarity.
4. Spice: light tobacco, cocoa, delicate licorice, a hint of cedarwood.
5. Structure: powerful yet fine tannins, lively acidity, long, forceful aftertaste.

The Bricco dell'Uccellone Barbera d'Asti DOCG 1.5 l Magnum - Braida is ideal as a highlight for festive menus and for long-term cellaring. The large bottle enhances the finesse of maturity and provides an especially harmonious taste experience on celebratory occasions. Its powerful character, the fresh acidity of the Barbera and the complex aromatics make this wine an expressive ambassador of Piedmont.

Vinification of Bricco dell'Uccellone Barbera d'Asti DOCG 1.5 l Magnum from Braida

The grapes for the Bricco dell'Uccellone Barbera d'Asti DOCG 1.5 l Magnum - Braida come from selected sites in Piedmont. The vines grow on calcareous soils with clay and sand, which are ideal for Barbera. These soils contribute to high ripeness and at the same time to clear, fresh acidity. The climate is characterized by warm days and cool nights. This allows the berries to develop their aromas slowly and evenly.

In the vineyard, the producer focuses on meticulous canopy management and targeted yield reduction. Only in this way do grapes with high concentration and pure aromatics develop. Harvest is usually done by hand, in several passes. Only ripe berries make it into the crates. The grapes are already selected in the vineyard, and a further strict selection takes place in the cellar. The goal is a perfect foundation for this iconic Barbera.

Fermentation on the skins takes place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. In this way, the intense fruit aromas of blueberry and red currant are precisely preserved. A long maceration time on the skins ensures deep color, dense structure and fine tannins. Daily movement of the cap, for example by pumping over or gentle punching down, gently and evenly extracts color, aromas and tannins from the berries.

After fermentation, the wine matures for many months in wooden barrels, mostly barriques made of French oak. They impart subtle toasted aromas and structure without overpowering the fruit. During this time, the powerful character of Barbera merges with the fine spice of the wood. The result is a deep, multi-layered composition of fruit, herbs and refined spice. Subsequent maturation in the magnum bottle allows for slow development and special harmony.

Before release, the Bricco dell'Uccellone Barbera d'Asti DOCG 1.5 l Magnum - Braida rests for some additional time in the winery’s cellar. This allows the tannins to soften, the acidity to integrate and the aromas to become further refined. As a result, the wine is already approachable at the time of release, yet possesses great aging potential. In good cellars it can be stored for many years, gaining in depth, complexity and silky texture.

Food recommendations for Bricco dell'Uccellone Barbera d'Asti DOCG 1.5 l Magnum - Braida

The Bricco dell'Uccellone Barbera d'Asti DOCG 1.5 l Magnum - Braida is a versatile companion to refined cuisine. Its dense fruit, fresh interplay of acidity and fine spice pair ideally with dishes rich in aroma. It shows its full class especially in combination with grilled meats, braised dishes and mature cheese. Fine pasta and risotto from Piedmont also harmonize beautifully with this wine.

Recommended dishes:

- Braised beef cheeks with red wine sauce and creamy polenta
- Veal ossobuco with gremolata and saffron risotto alla Milanese
- Entrecôte or ribeye steak, medium, with herb butter and rosemary potatoes
- Rack of lamb with herb crust, ratatouille-style vegetables and jus
- Tagliatelle with slowly braised, aromatic beef or game ragù
- Truffle risotto with black truffles from Piedmont and aged hard cheese
- Aged hard cheese such as Parmigiano Reggiano, mature Pecorino or robust alpine cheese

At festive multi-course menus, Bricco dell'Uccellone Barbera d'Asti DOCG 1.5 l Magnum - Braida can accompany the main courses to great effect. An ideal serving temperature is about 16 to 18 degrees Celsius. Before enjoyment, the wine should be decanted into a large carafe so it can breathe and its complex aromas of berries, herbs and refined spice can fully unfold.

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