Vietti, Barbera d’Asti DOCG (Piedmont, Italy) 2015

Spoiler alert.  This wine is a fantastic bargain for current consumption, even in the summer.  For starters, Vietti is one of the superstar producers in Piedmont.  Their Barolos are legendary, with comparable pricing.  Vietti’s Barberas are equally enjoyable, albeit in an entirely different manner.  Barbera d’Asti is a potentially confusion category because the wines can range from dreadful and cheap to stylish — and still bargain-priced — like this one.  Juicy and spicy bright red fruit and mild tannins mean it takes a chill nicely in the summer.  In the fall and winter, despite its mid-weight body, it is still robust enough for heartier fare.