One of the small number of DOCG areas in Italy, Barbaresco shares this status in northwestern Italy’s PIEDMONT region with BAROLO, ASTI, GATTINARA, GAVI, and GHEMME. The DOCG zone encompasses the villages of Barbaresco, Tresio, and Neive, just east of Alba. The wines, which are made from the NEBBIOLO grape, must be AGED for 2 years, one of which is in wooden barrels. A RISERVA must be aged for 4 years, one of those in wood. Considered some of Italy’s best, these wines have rich, spicy flavors, and, although DRY, they have a perfumed sweetness. Barbaresco wines are often compared to Barolo wines because they’re both made from Nebbiolo grapes. In the comparison, Barbaresco wines are usually regarded as more elegant and refined; the Barolos are thought to be more robust and longer-lived.