Barbera is the third most widely planted red grape in Italy, behind Sangiovese and Montepulciano.  Barbera wines are unusual among red grapes for producing a deep color, low tannin, and highly acidic wine usually seen from more cool climate grapes.  Young Barbera wines offer intense notes of berry and cherry, while more mature Barbera wines are often enhanced with notes of oak and vanilla.  Barbera wines originated in the Peidmont region of Italy with the cultivation of Barbera grapes documented by the 1200s.  The vigorous and adaptable Barbera vines must be carefully controlled by vintners to maintain low yield, high quality wines.  The aggressive character of Barbera wines is often softened by blending with other reds or by oak aging in small barrels to improve drinkability