Kareen Barbera 2024 750ml

Jeff - Wine Specialist, Sherman Oaks

This may be a contentious statement, and... my new favorite Italian Barbera is... not from Italy, and... not made by Italians. ("Eh!") It's actually from the Sierra Foothills in the Central Valley of California, and it's made by Armenians.

Northwestern Italian reds are fabulous, with bright acidity supported with body and structure. Of the lot, Barberas in the $20-$30 range tend to show very light and fruity, without the structure or acidity of say a bigger Nebbiolo/Barbaresco/Barolo. Kareen Barbera delivers the trademark flavors of Barbera fruit, and, there is also depth, structure, and acidity to make for a complete, complex, and wonderful wine. It also qualifies as a natural wine, with organic and sustainable farming, partial carbonic maceration, and minimal intervention and SO2.

Barberas often top lists of wines to pair with pizza. Kareen Barbera has the power and acidity to cut through pizza to make for an excellent pairing. That doesn't mean pizza is the only pairing for this wine. It's depth and structure make it an excellent wine for a large variety of food, especially other Mediterranean fare.

So... Armenians making Italian wine in the California Central Valley...

And pizza...

Yes