Being honest, this variety was never something I sought out in a bottle shop or on a wine list, but that attitude has since changed.
Adjunct to that, I’ve generally steered toward the familiar varieties simply because they were, well, familiar.
Real wine boffins (that’s me) are always on the lookout for something a little different to impress or enthuse other wine boffins.
Barbera is one of those varieties. Definitely a little different, and absolutely worthy of attention.
Ever since starting this blog, I’ve been lucky enough to have been sent a few Barberas to try, and I’ve been mightily impressed.
Raising the bar each time, the Angullong ‘Fossil Hill’ version is exactly the kind of wine I’d happily keep at home as a constant.
Anyone yet to try the variety should do so, and this is the ideal place to start. A version true to Barbera’s character.
Region: Orange Region, NSW Price: $30 Source: Sample thanks kindly to Angullong Wines and Define Wine
The colour is the first thing to impress. Deep, glossy and full of promise of what is to come next. Dark fruits aromas rise from the glass with a slightly herbal edge, vibrant and almost filling the air around it. The palate is juicy and generous, led by dark plums and blackberries. A lively red‑fruitiness brings brightness and energy, giving the wine a lovely, lush palate feel. It’s abundantly flavourful yet still sits comfortably in the medium‑bodied spectrum. The length is impressive too with those flavours lingering incessantly. A vibrant, flavour‑packed Barbera that shows just how charming this variety can be.
Words from a Wine Glass 