Villa Sparina

Barbera del Monferrato

8.877 ratings
8.46 pro ratings
Monferrato, Piedmont, Italy
Barbera
Duck, Goose, Game, Chili & Hot Spicy, Turkey, Mushrooms, Chicken, Tomato-Based, Pork, Venison, Potato, Pasta, Baking Spices, Beans & Peas, Pungent Cheese, Hard Cheese, White Rice, Exotic Spices, Soft Cheese, Herbs, Veal, Salami & Prosciutto, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
John Visto

Smooth and Juicy - like Biggie and Puff rolling around in silk Versace in '94

Smooth and Juicy - like Biggie and Puff rolling around in silk Versace in '94

4 people found it helpfulFeb 8th, 2015
Alex Papanicolaou

Ok. I'll admit it. I bought this because of the mild price tag and the interesting shape of the bottle. But to my surprise, it's a supremely drinkable wine. Violets and blackberries on the nose and shockingly good acid. Can't argue with this Barbera.

Ok. I'll admit it. I bought this because of the mild price tag and the interesting shape of the bottle. But to my surprise, it's a supremely drinkable wine. Violets and blackberries on the nose and shockingly good acid. Can't argue with this Barbera.

3 people found it helpfulFeb 2nd, 2015
Jeff Sidwell

Owner Bon! Gourmet

Nice nose of violets round mouth quite dry little nice earthiness maybe pansy or potted plants

Nice nose of violets round mouth quite dry little nice earthiness maybe pansy or potted plants

1 person found it helpfulJul 15th, 2016
"Odedi"

Dark, dirty ruby in color with a purplish rim.

Not much on the nose, with blueberries, earth, spices, peppercorn, leather and smoke.

Light bodied with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, red currants, plums, tart raspberries, earth, light vanilla, licorice, earth, spices and peppercorn.

Long finish with round tannins and tart cherries.

Simple and unbalanced, but a good quality Barbera. Too tart for my taste, though. Not one to be had by itself, but rather a good food wine.
I paired it with Spaghetti Bolognese.

13% alcohol by volume.

Dark, dirty ruby in color with a purplish rim.

Not much on the nose, with blueberries, earth, spices, peppercorn, leather and smoke.

Light bodied with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, red currants, plums, tart raspberries, earth, light vanilla, licorice, earth, spices and peppercorn.

Long finish with round tannins and tart cherries.

Simple and unbalanced, but a good quality Barbera. Too tart for my taste, though. Not one to be had by itself, but rather a good food wine.
I paired it with Spaghetti Bolognese.

13% alcohol by volume.

Sep 27th, 2016
Thomas Pastuszak

Sommelier/Wine Director The NoMad

8.9

Juicy, plump Barbera; always a favorite Monferrato

Juicy, plump Barbera; always a favorite Monferrato

May 11th, 2014
ESF
8.8

We had the Gavi which was delicious so we tried this: same unique bottle shape and after further research - found out this winery is affiliated with Moccagatta which is my fave Barbaresco producer. This was inky & fragrant with violets, damp Earth & dark fruit. Very smooth & mellow on palate, pliable, generous if a bit pedestrian. Very silky through finish, great value at $14

We had the Gavi which was delicious so we tried this: same unique bottle shape and after further research - found out this winery is affiliated with Moccagatta which is my fave Barbaresco producer. This was inky & fragrant with violets, damp Earth & dark fruit. Very smooth & mellow on palate, pliable, generous if a bit pedestrian. Very silky through finish, great value at $14

Sep 25th, 2023
Raul Puga

Perfect for pizza night

Perfect for pizza night

Sep 21st, 2023
Jeremiah Diaz

Deep ruby in color; blackberries, cherries, and a hint of pepper on the nose; high acidity; medium minus tannins; tastes like cranberries, plum, and wet gravel with a long finish.

Deep ruby in color; blackberries, cherries, and a hint of pepper on the nose; high acidity; medium minus tannins; tastes like cranberries, plum, and wet gravel with a long finish.

Aug 1st, 2023
Jenifer Pitman

V fruit forward, fun bottle

V fruit forward, fun bottle

May 7th, 2022
Raun Kupiec

Very nice. Burst of tart cherries with a nice tarry finish. No real tannic bite, extremely soft. Refreshing.

Very nice. Burst of tart cherries with a nice tarry finish. No real tannic bite, extremely soft. Refreshing.

Aug 26th, 2021