Barbera is an ancient Italian variety originating from the hills of Monferrato in central Piedmont. It accounts for 50% of all red cultivars grown in Piedmont. Barbera is also planted in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, America, Uruguay and Australia. Wines are medium-bodied, low in tannin with good depth of colour.
Production at Manjimup
In conjunction with 18 other varieties, Barbera was identified by the wine industry as having both domestic and international wine market potential to enhance the production and development of premium WA wine.
Barbera (clone AT84) vines were therefore imported for evaluation at Manjimup where they were evaluated from 2007 to 2010.
Barbera (clone AT84) vines showed good establishment in trials, producing large crops in early development.
| Budburst (E-L 4) | Full bloom (E-L 23) | Veraison (E-L 35) | Harvest (E-L 38) |
| Early-mid September | Early December | Mid-February | Mid-April |
Fruit from Barbera vines can be susceptible to sunburn if highly exposed within the canopy, however Barbera experiences low levels of disease.
Acid production in Barbera fruit can be high, resulting in the delay of harvest. On average, Barbera contains 3.2g/L of malic acid in fruit at harvest.
Production characteristics
| Productivity | Medium | Berry weight | High |
| Bunch weight | High | Fruit yield/vine | 5.5kg |
| Disease susceptibility | Low | Equivalent yield | 9.2t/ha |
| Bunch compaction | Medium | Vigour | Medium |
| Juice TSS (°Brix) | 26.5 | Juice Baumé | 14.7 |
| Juice pH | 3.2 | Juice TA g/L | 9.4 |
Wine sensory assessment
Barbera wines display spicy plum and dark fruit aromas, are medium-bodied with a firm acid structure, fine tannin, raspberry and cherry flavours.
Results from a consumer survey showed that 68% of respondents liked the aroma, 83% liked the flavour, 82% liked the body, 85% liked the style and 68% found the variety to have commercial potential.
Wine judging results
Points awarded out of a maximum of 20.
| 2009 Winemakers Panel | 2010 Timber Towns Wine Show | 2010 Australian Alternative Variety Wine Show | 2010 Qantas Wine Show | 2011 Timber Towns Wine Show |
| 14.9 | 15.7 | 18.5 | 16.2 | 16.3 |