Barbera d'Asti 'Ai Suma' Braida 2020

Barbera d'Asti 'Ai Suma' constitutes one of the highest interpretations offered by the Piedmontese winery Braida, a Barbera that stands out for its exceptional fullness and expressive breadth. It was 1989 when Giacomo Bologna, the historical founder of the Braida winery, decided amid general scepticism to make a late harvest Barbera. Thus was born 'Ai Suma,' a label made exclusively in the best vintages whose name derives from an expression in the Piedmontese dialect that translates to "there we are," a phrase the farsighted producer uttered when tasting the wine for the first time.

Braida Barbera d'Asti 'Ai Suma' is a 100% Barbera that comes from vines located in the hills in the estate vineyards in Rocchetta Tanaro. Here, the soils are medium-textured, clay and sandy, located at about 160 meters above sea level. The clusters are delayed hand-picked and then transferred to the winery for temperature-controlled alcoholic fermentation, accompanied by 20 days of contact between the must and marc. The ensuing ageing phase lasts for 15 months and takes place in oak barrels, followed by at least one year of further bottle ageing before release.

'Ai Suma' Barbera d'Asti Braida has a very intense and consistent ruby red colour with a garnet rim. Broad, generous and heady aromas of cassis, jammy berries, eucalyptus, liquorice, vanilla and cocoa emerge from the glass. Full, dense and full-bodied on the palate, well supported by sensual freshness and elegant tannic texture in a long and flavorful progression. This is a Barbera endowed with remarkable longevity and imposing character, to be enjoyed at the end of a meal as a meditation wine or paired with succulent red meat or game preparations.