Barbera Leggermente Appassito L'Ala 2021

What kind of wine it is

Ala by Castello di Cigognola is a still red wine that authentically expresses the character of the Barbera grape. In the glass, it displays a bright ruby colour. On the nose, scents of Mediterranean scrub and dark spices emerge, intertwined with sweeter notes of cherry and currant, enriched by floral nuances. On the palate, the typical acidic freshness of the grape blends with the fruit, creating a soft and enveloping sweetness that finishes with a mineral note. To fully appreciate its structure, it is advisable to decant it for an hour and serve at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. Its intensity makes it ideal paired with hearty first courses such as pappardelle with wild boar, pork main courses, and mature cheeses.

Where it comes from

This red wine originates in Lombardy, in the heart of the Oltrepò Pavese hills, south of the River Po. The vineyards stretch along the border between Piedmont and Emilia. Its belonging to the Province of Pavia highlights the strong connection with a territory of historic winemaking tradition. The characteristics of these hilly lands give the wine its typical acidic tension and favour the ripening of intense fruit, laying the foundations for a structured expression with distinctive spicy accents that characterise each sip.

How it is produced

The production of this wine is based on meticulous work that begins in the vineyard with the practice of cane cutting. This technique interrupts the flow of sap, inducing a slight withering directly on the plant and concentrating the aromas in the berries. After harvesting, whole bunch fermentation follows, a choice that defines the aromatic profile and tactile texture. Subsequently, the wine matures for ten months in wooden barrels, a stage that enriches the palate with complexity and harmonises the fruity notes without compromising its innate freshness.