Barbera is one of those rare red grapes that can make red wine refreshing, and this classic organic Barbera from the Castelletto cru is such a vivacious thing. Raspberries (lots of them), a little woodsmoke and twiggy herbs, then a bright black and red fruited palate that is vibrant but dark moody, all at once, with this ongoing feel of light bright airiness and fruit joy.

While Josetta Saffirio's father Ernesto first planted vines on the family farm in Monforte d'Alba sometime in the early 1900s, the story of this acclaimed producer is about heroines. Josetta, you see, took over the family farm and started making wines from their vines rather than just selling the grapes. Slowly, the wines that Josetta made with husband Roberto gained an international audience, and now the next generation has stepped up, with Josetta's daughter taking over the business. Despite this rich history, the family 'look to future generations and the past'. The vineyards are all organic, planted ‘giropoggio’ fashion (planted along the contours of the land). Only light machinery is used to avoid soil compaction, with flowers and plants between the rows to stop erosion. The Josetta Saffirio winery is part of the ‘Cascina Pulita' consortium that manages sustainable farm waste, and the property is now carbon neutral. It doesn't stop there, as efforts to reduce their carbon footprint have involved reducing packaging (lighter glass, shorter corks, and smaller cartons) and creating a park with native flora and fauna.