Giuseppe Mascarello Barbera d’Alba Scudetto 2023 reveals a distinctive side of the Langhe. Rather than focusing on the Nebbiolo behind the estate’s celebrated Barolos, it places Barbera at the centre of the story, sourced from an individual vineyard in Perno, Monforte d’Alba. The wine reflects the Mascarello family's commitment to clearly defined vineyard origins and traditional cellar work. It is a generous Piedmontese red, marked by ripe fruit, depth and a rewarding place at the table.

The Scudetto vineyard at Santo Stefano di Perno

Scudetto lies below the chapel of Santo Stefano di Perno in the commune of Monforte d’Alba, one of the best-known winegrowing areas of the Langhe. This precise origin matters: the bottle expresses a named vineyard rather than an anonymous regional blend. The Mascarello family's winegrowing history reaches back to 1881, and its practice of vinifying individual vineyards separately brings their different personalities to the fore.

The 2023 vintage is a Barbera d’Alba DOC made entirely from Barbera grapes. It offers a compelling perspective on a variety sometimes appreciated chiefly for its lively, food-friendly nature: here it also displays substance, concentration and a confident expression of place.

Traditional fermentation and measured maturation

Winemaking follows a classic method, with 15–20 days of fermentation on the skins under a floating cap. The wine matures in medium-sized oak casks, with the possibility of stabilisation in inert vessels as required. This restrained approach allows Barbera's character to remain recognisable rather than overwhelming it with pronounced oak flavours.

The house style is distinguished by a deep ruby colour with purple highlights, an intense aroma of ripe fruit and a palate combining fullness, energy and balance. It shows the grape's ability to deliver a substantial red wine while retaining the lively personality that makes Barbera such a versatile choice with food.

When to open Scudetto 2023

Choose Scudetto 2023 for a dinner featuring filled pasta, meat ragù, roasted red or white meats, cured meats and cheeses. Serve at around 18°C. It also makes an excellent addition to a tasting of Giuseppe Mascarello wines, providing a vivid contrast to the estate's Nebbiolo-based bottlings and highlighting another strand of traditional Langhe winemaking.

At a glance

• Producer: Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio
• Appellation: Barbera d’Alba DOC
• Origin: Scudetto vineyard, Santo Stefano di Perno, Monforte d’Alba, Piedmont
• Grape: 100% Barbera
• Vintage: 2023
• Fermentation: traditional floating-cap maceration, 15–20 days
• Maturation: medium-sized oak casks, with possible stabilisation in inert vessels
• Serving temperature: around 18°C