On May 13 and 14, Nizza è Barbera returns, the event dedicated to Barbera d’Asti Docg and Nizza Docg organized by the Municipality of Nizza Monferrato and the Enoteca Regionale di Nizza with the support of Consorzio della Barbera d’Asti e Vini del Monferrato, Associazione Produttori del Nizza and Astesana Strada del Vino.
This is an especially important edition because it will be possible to taste the first Nizza Docg Reserve from the six macro-areas of the production zone, previewed on Sunday at 5 p.m. in the former Holy Trinity Church.
Highlighting Nizza Monferrato
Nizza Monferrato will thus be transformed into a great wine capital: 70 producers to meet with 400 labels in tasting of Barbera d’Asti docg and Nizza docg along with food products from the “T’Amo” short supply chain.
At Palazzo Crova, home of the Enoteca Regionale del Nizza, exclusive experiential and olfactory tastings on Barbera will be staged, tasting at the wine tasting tables of the producers of Nizza is Barbera at the Osteria Vineria La Signora in Rosso.
Space will also be given to seminars, such as the one dedicated to the pairing of Gorgonzola and Barbera d’Asti docg and Nizza docg, and to collateral events, staged during the white night, with open stores and gastronomic offerings in the city center, where three Wine Points will be set up with a selection of Barbera d’Asti docg and Nizza docg labels for tasting.
In Piazza Garibaldi, Piazza XX Settembre and the historic center, the Nizzesi Merchants Association “Nizza with Heart” will also organize local street food.
Nizza è Barbera: The Event
“We have had a growth of producers present at the event,” says Simone Nosenzo, mayor of Nizza Monferrato, “a sign that there is growing interest in the wine supply chain and especially in Nizza docg: in the last year there have been many new investors, those who historically have their businesses here continue to invest. Wine tourism flows are also resuming, we are back to pre-pandemic numbers. Many foreigners are buying and renovating old farmhouses, creating vacation homes and b&b’s and bringing new tourism from their country to learn about our area.”
“The economy of wine and tourism are becoming increasingly important for Nizza and all of Southern Asti,” announces Mauro Damerio, president of the Nizza Regional Enoteca, “A strong alliance that continues to grow the area’s economy. Nizza is Barbera is an event that, for many years, has known how to convey the right values and message to consumers. It is also a festival aimed at younger people. This year we will involve at the wine points the boys and girls who study at the University of Viticulture and Enology of Alba and Asti so that they will be able to tell the wine lovers who come to town about Barbera.”
“Nizza è Barbera is a successful “pop” event that brings thousands of people, especially young people, to get closer to Barbera, to frequent the beautiful historic center of Nizza Monferrato and to get to know and appreciate its typical products,” says Nizza Producers Association President Stefano Chiarlo.
“This event, over the years, has been able to raise the bar of quality with an increasingly professional wine service and, at the same time, without losing its joyful and sharing soul. This year there will be many insights: restaurants will be involved with food-wine pairing themes and there will be many seminars, including the Masterclass of knowledge of Nizza with a focus on “the first vintage coming out of Nizza Riserva,” which will see the participation of 6 producers from six different micro-territories of Nizza Docg.”
“The Consortium Barbera d’Asti e Vini del Monferrato has always been close to the event, an event with a long history, born in the territory, for the territory and able to carry out a far-sighted and significant work: to express the identity of Monferrato through the excellent wines presented,” recalls Filippo Mobrici, president of the Consortium Barbera d’Asti e Vini del Monferrato.
“‘Nizza è Barbera’ is an important moment for the whole area, especially because it allows wineries to have direct contact with the public, giving them the opportunity to meet vis à vis consumers, those who scrutinize, study, consume and want to discover the territory. This is a valuable opportunity and not to be overlooked, especially this year after the various restrictions due to the pandemic that have involved past editions.”