Red grape variety adopted mainly in the Telesina Valley, third in order of importance in the production scenario of Sanniti red wines. The grape shows peculiar characteristics, different from that of the Piedmont grape variety of the same name. Cluster is conical-pyramidal; berry ovoid, blue-black in color, rich in bloom; flesh uncolored.

No mention of this vine can be found among the Vines cultivated in the province of Benevento described by the Ampelographic Commission chaired by Giuseppe Frojo, a work published in 1879. Just as there is no trace of it in the Primi studi ampelografici nella provincia di Terra di Lavoro (a province of which the Sannio telesino was part before the Unification of Italy), also by Frojo and published the previous year. Frojo also mentions a Barbera grape variety referring to the Vesuvius area. News also taken up by Molon, in 1909, when he spoke of the spread of the vine originating in Monferrato in the province of Ancona, in the district of Monte Pulciano and then in that of Loreto, introduced there by the Administration of the Holy House. And again in the province of L’Aquila, in the province of Naples, in the municipality of Somma Vesuviana, and in the province of Campobasso, in the municipality of Gildone.

In a 2005 study conducted on the genetics of Campania’s grape varieties by researchers from the Agricultural Institute of San Michele all’Adige and the Faculty of Agriculture in Portici, it is pointed out that this grape variety-along with Summariello, Casavecchia and Catalanesca-shows distinctive traits with respect to the vitis vinifera heritage of Campania, as it may be the result of recent introductions.

The grape variety, vinified in purity, gives rise to the single-varietal type of the same name in the Sannio DO wines.
The sensory profile of wine made from Barbera grapes shows a deep ruby red color, with obvious violet hues. Rich nose of ripe red fruit, berries of the underbrush and rose, with hints of vegetables. Full, intense, soft, low-tannic mouthfeel with rich fruit finish.