One of Piedmont's greatest wine regions, Barbaresco rarely gets mentioned without a reference to its neighbor Barolo. Both are among the best expressions of the Nebbiolo grape and where Barolo can be austere and tannic, Barbaresco can be its warmer, more approachable counterpoint. A number of critics have rated this Barbaresco wine from Cascina Baricchi extremely highly. This is among the highest-priced Barbaresco wine. The price has been rising over the past three years. Barbaresco is one of the great wines of the Piedmont region in northwestern Italy. Historically it was called Nebbiolo di Barbaresco and was used by the Austrian General Melas to celebrate his victory over the French in 1799. Only in the middle of the 19th Century was the wine we know today vinified into a dry style. This aristocratic red was awarded its DOCG classification in 1980. Barbaresco vineyards Its vineyards are situated in the Langhe, on the right-hand side of the Tanaro river and extending from the area northeast of Alba to the communes of Barbaresco, Neive and Treiso, as well as a portion of the commune of San Rocco Senodelvio (once part of the Barbaresco municipality but now part of Alba). The vines are generally grown on limestone-rich marl soils (similar to the Tortonium soils of the Barolo and La Morra areas in Barolo) on steep, "pre-alpine" hills – a characteristic of the region. The vineyards are situated to best "ensure a suitable ripening of the grapes", effectively meaning most Barbaresco vineyard sites have some (if not an entire) southerly exposure. Barbaresco (by law) can only be made from Nebbiolo. Dolcetto and Barbera are also found within the growing zone, but are used for other wine designations. Tasting Barbaresco Barbaresco is made from the same variety as its more famous sibling Barolo, and shares its cult status as one of the finest wines in the world. However, there are several differences between the two. Barbaresco has a slightly maritime climate: warmer, drier and milder than its neighbor. This means its grapes tend to ripen earlier than those in Barolo. As a result, the wines are less tannic and more approachable at an earlier age. However there is still plenty of acidity and tannins to make this an ageworthy red. Barbaresco is characterized by its rich, spicy flavors and perfumed sweetness and is considered more elegant and approachable than its counterpart, which is a more robust and longer-lived red. Viticultural regulations Regulations stipulate that Barbaresco and Barbaresco Riserva wines (with or without additional geographic mentions - see below) must be harvested with a minimum yield of eight tons per hectare (3.3 tons per acre). A minimum potential alcohol content of 12 percent must be attained. Barbaresco and Barbaresco Riserva wines with the vineyard name (preceded by the "vigna" title) must have a minimum yield of 7.2 tons per hectare (2.9 tons per acre). The grapes must ripen to a minimum potential alcohol content of 12.5 percent. Winemaking regulations In the winery, Barbaresco wines must be aged for a minimum period of 26 months (just over two years), of which a minimum of nine months must be spent in oak. Barbaresco Riserva wines must be aged for a minimum period of 50 months (just over four years) in the winery, again with a minimum of nine months in oak. In practice, however, aging times are often a little longer, as the stipulated aging periods begin on 1 November of the year of harvest. The release of the wines onto the market is also prohibited prior to 1 January three years after the harvest (for standard Barbaresco ) and 1 January five years after harvest (Barbaresco Riserva). Many producers will also age wines for a significantly longer period in oak barrels, or barriques, and in larger-format, traditional oak vessels (often Slavonian oak "botti" as encountered in Barolo) than is stipulated in the regulations. All Barbaresco wines must, at bottling, have a minimum alcohol level of 12.5 percent (alcohol by volume).