Alessandro Rivetto Barbera d’Alba

Alessandro Rivetto Barbera d’Alba is a 100% Barbera red wine from Piedmont, Italy, bottled at 750ml with an ABV of approximately 13.5–14% depending on vintage. Aged for roughly 10 months in Slavonian oak barrels — a step beyond many entry-level Barbera d’Alba bottlings — this wine has earned 89 points from Wine Enthusiast.
Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5–14%  |  Origin: Alba, Piedmont, Italy  |  100% Barbera  |  Winery: Alessandro Rivetto
Production & Heritage
Alessandro Rivetto is a family-run estate based in the Langhe hills near Alba, one of Piedmont’s most celebrated winemaking zones. The Barbera d’Alba undergoes fermentation at a controlled temperature of approximately 30°C in stainless steel tanks, with maceration lasting around 12 days to extract color and fruit character without excessive tannin. The wine then rests for about 10 months in large Slavonian oak barrels before additional bottle aging — a maturation approach that adds complexity and softens the grape’s natural acidity while preserving its varietal intensity.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: The nose opens with intense mature red fruits, moving into richer layers of blackberry and prune. A subtle earthiness from the Slavonian oak aging rounds out the aromatic profile.
Taste: The entry is lively and fruit-forward, with ripe dark berry flavors immediately filling the palate. At mid-palate, the wine reveals its full body and structure, supported by delicate tannins that provide grip without harshness. The natural acidity typical of Barbera keeps everything balanced and fresh.
Finish: Medium-length and gently tannic, with lingering notes of dark plum and a touch of spice. The oak influence remains restrained, letting the fruit have the final word.
How to Drink Rivetto Barbera d’Alba
Serve at 16–18°C (60–65°F). This wine drinks well on its own with minimal decanting, though 20–30 minutes of air will help open the aromatic layers. A Classic Negroni variation using this wine as a red vermouth substitute adds fruit depth and structure. A simple Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) benefits from the wine’s ripe berry character and acidity. For a seasonal option, this Barbera works beautifully in a mulled wine, where its prune and dark fruit notes intensify with warm spices.
Best For
Weeknight Italian dinner pairings with pasta or pizza
Introducing someone to Piedmont’s Barbera grape beyond Nebbiolo
Building a cellar of approachable Italian reds under oak influence
Hosting a comparative tasting of Barbera d’Alba expressions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Rivetto Barbera d’Alba taste like? This is a full-bodied Barbera dominated by ripe blackberry and prune flavors, with delicate tannins and a structured mouthfeel from 10 months in Slavonian oak. It finishes medium-length with dark plum and gentle spice.
How does Rivetto Barbera d’Alba compare to Vietti Barbera d’Alba Tre Vigne? Both are 100% Barbera from the Alba DOC, though the Rivetto is aged in large Slavonian oak while Vietti’s Tre Vigne typically sees a combination of French and American oak barrels. The Rivetto tends toward riper, darker fruit character with a more restrained oak signature.
Is Rivetto Barbera d’Alba good for everyday drinking? Yes — its approachable fruit character, moderate tannins, and balanced acidity make it a versatile table wine that pairs easily with a wide range of foods without requiring extended cellaring.
Where is Rivetto Barbera d’Alba made? It is produced by the Alessandro Rivetto estate in the Langhe hills near Alba in Piedmont, northwestern Italy. The Barbera d’Alba DOC is one of Piedmont’s key appellations for the Barbera grape.
What foods pair well with Rivetto Barbera d’Alba? Tagliatelle al ragù, where the wine’s acidity cuts through the meat sauce; margherita pizza, complementing tomato and mozzarella; grilled Italian sausage, matching the wine’s body and dark fruit; aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, contrasting its salty crystalline texture with the wine’s ripe berry notes; and roasted eggplant, whose earthiness echoes the wine’s subtle oak character.
What sizes does Rivetto Barbera d’Alba come in? The standard bottling is available in 750ml format.
Is Rivetto Barbera d’Alba worth the price? This wine positions as a mid-range Barbera d’Alba, offering oak-barrel aging and genuine varietal depth that many entry-level Barbera bottlings — often aged exclusively in stainless steel — do not provide. Its 89-point Wine Enthusiast rating supports its standing in this competitive tier.
Why Rivetto Barbera d’Alba?
What distinguishes this bottling is the 10-month rest in Slavonian oak, a traditional large-format vessel favored across Piedmont for its ability to add subtle structure without overwhelming the fruit. Many Barbera d’Alba wines at a similar price point skip oak aging entirely, making this a genuinely more layered expression of the grape. The 89-point score from Wine Enthusiast confirms that the extra maturation translates to the glass. For drinkers who associate Piedmont exclusively with Nebbiolo-based wines like Barolo and Barbaresco, Rivetto’s Barbera d’Alba is a compelling demonstration of what the region’s second-most-planted red grape can deliver with thoughtful winemaking.