Barbera is Piedmont’s great unsung hero — a grape that lives in the shadow of Barolo and Barbaresco but produces wines of extraordinary character, generosity, and value in its own right. Villa Giada is one of the finest producers in the Asti denomination, and the ‘Suri’ — named after the Piedmontese dialect word for the south-facing hillside where the vines grow — is a beautiful expression of what Barbera can achieve when treated with the care it deserves. The nose is intense and captivating, with dark cherry, violet, and a lovely hint of spice that draws you straight in. On the palate it’s full and generous, with ripe, concentrated fruit, a characteristic dried leaf complexity, and persistent soft tannins that give it real structure without ever feeling heavy. Barbera’s naturally high acidity makes it one of the most food-friendly reds in Italy — brilliant with rich pasta, pizza, or anything with tomato. At £20.99, it’s a Piedmont red that punches well above its weight.