About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
Pomorosso comes from historic vineyards in Agliano Terme, Castelnuovo Calcea and Nizza Monferrato. The vines grow at 200 metres above sea level with south to south-southeast exposure. Their clay-limestone marl contains gypsum, iron conglomerates and a modest proportion of calcium carbonate. Planting density is 4,000–5,000 vines per hectare, with Guyot training.
Grapes
100% Barbera.
Vinification
Harvest takes place in September. The healthiest, ripest grapes are selected in the vineyard and picked by hand into 20 kg crates. Vinification includes skin-contact maceration with short, gentle pump-overs. Malolactic fermentation is completed.
Ageing
The wine matures for 14 months in barriques, more than twice the wood-ageing period required by the appellation rules.
Technical data
Nizza DOCG. Available formats are 0.375 L, 0.75 L, 1.5 L, 3 L, 6 L and 9 L.
Tasting profile
Bright ruby red. The current profile combines red fruit with cocoa bean and delicate balsamic impressions of eucalyptus. The palate has substantial structure, long persistence and a finish that echoes the aromatic character.
The technical sheet presents a second tasting description: intense varietal red fruit accompanied by tobacco and ethereal nuances, followed by a rich, structured and persistent palate.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 16°C. Suggested pairings include Sambucano lamb chop in a crust, Bettelmatt cheese from Val d’Ossola and pumpkin tortelli. The technical sheet additionally recommends slow-cooked beef cuts, rich mountain-pasture cheese and filled pasta.
Vintage notes
The 2022 vintage tended toward concentration and ripeness. Vineyard and cellar work focused on preserving freshness and drinkability. Decanter’s Best in Show assessment described powerful black fruit with orange and blueberry, layered with spicy, creamy oak. The palate was rich and deep, with orange and black fruit, generous tannins from skins and oak, and lively acidity balanced by the wine’s richness.
Pomorosso 2022 received 97/100 and Best in Show at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards. It was the first Barbera admitted to the competition’s Best in Show selection and one of six Italian wines among that year’s 50 winners. Sixteen vintages have also received Gambero Rosso’s Tre Bicchieri recognition.
Label / history
The first vintage was produced in 1984, when Barbera was still widely regarded as an everyday wine and its capacity to age was rarely acknowledged. Pomorosso was conceived around selecting the best fruit and ageing it in barriques, helping change perceptions of the variety.
Its name comes from a red-apple tree that once grew at the top of the original vineyard.
