Terroir
La Luna e i Falò is sourced from select Barbera parcels across the Monferrato and Asti hills of Piemonte, where Barbera reaches its most expressive and polished form. The vineyards sit on a mosaic of calcareous clay, marl, and sandy subsoils—an ideal mix that gives Barbera both generosity of fruit and structural refinement. These rolling slopes enjoy excellent sun exposure, with warm days building ripe, fleshy berry character and cool nights preserving acidity, the hallmark of top-tier Barbera. The 2022 growing season was warm and dry but punctuated by well-timed late-summer cool spells, helping the grapes maintain freshness while achieving concentration. This terroir creates wines that are simultaneously rich, lifted, and deeply evocative of Piemonte’s rustic-meets-elegant sensibility.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
Vite Colte vinifies La Luna e i Falò with a philosophy of precision and respect for Barbera’s natural vibrancy. The grapes are harvested at optimal physiological ripeness, then undergo a temperature-controlled fermentation to capture freshness while extracting fine tannins and saturated color. Extended maceration builds texture and intensity without heaviness. The wine is matured in a combination of large Slavonian oak casks and smaller French barriques, allowing subtle spice tones while avoiding overt oak dominance. This balance of vessel types helps promote oxygen exchange, polish the tannins, and enhance mid-palate depth, resulting in a Barbera d’Asti Superiore that marries structure with expressive fruit. The final blend captures both clarity and richness—distinctively modern yet firmly rooted in tradition.

Tasting Notes
The 2022 La Luna e i Falò opens with a deep, glossy ruby hue and an immediate aromatic intensity. Black cherry, ripe plum, and crushed blackberry form the core, wrapped in nuances of violet, licorice, sweet tobacco, and warm spices from its time in wood. On the palate, the wine is generous and supple, delivering Barbera’s signature acidity but with a luxurious roundness that tempers its brightness. Juicy dark fruits cascade across the mid-palate, supported by well-integrated oak tones of vanilla bean, cocoa dust, and a subtle charred cedar edge. The texture is silky yet energetic, with fine-grained tannins shaping the wine without adding austerity. The finish is long, fruit-driven, and lightly savory, echoing notes of black cherry compote, balsamic lift, and dried herbs. A polished, expressive, and highly satisfying Barbera.

Food Pairing & Service
This wine’s vibrant acidity and velvety richness make it a versatile partner for a wide range of Piedmontese and hearty Mediterranean dishes. It shines with classic pairings like tajarin pasta with meat ragù, braised beef, roasted pork loin, grilled lamb skewers, and mushroom-based dishes that amplify its earthy undertones. The fruit intensity also complements pizza with spicy salami, hard cheeses like Grana Padano or aged Asiago, and richly seasoned vegetable stews. Serve at 60–64°F (16–18°C) in a Burgundy-style bowl to accentuate its perfume and soften its structure. While approachable now, the wine will evolve gracefully over the next 5–7 years, gaining tertiary notes of leather, dried cherry, and sweet spice.