Liom 2023 Barbacan

Liom 2023 – Alpi Retiche IGT – Barbacàn

Overview

The Liom 2023 by Barbacàn is an extraordinary expression of Alpine identity and biodiversity. Produced in San Giacomo di Teglio in the heart of Valtellina, this wine represents a new chapter in the winery’s exploration of local heritage. Made from rediscovered native grapes such as Ròssola, Ròssolino, and Ròssolino Rosa, it is fermented and aged entirely in terracotta amphorae, emphasizing purity, transparency, and the authentic voice of the mountain terroir.

History and Meaning

The name Liom—in Valtellina dialect—evokes the idea of freedom and vitality, perfectly capturing the spirit of this project: a wine liberated from convention, born from the roots of forgotten vineyards. It stems from Barbacàn’s ongoing work to recover ancient local varieties, preserving the genetic and cultural heritage of Alpine viticulture. As Luca and Matteo Sega explain:

“To protect and enhance the biodiversity still present in our heroic vineyards means safeguarding a genetic, economic, social, and cultural heritage of extraordinary value—an inheritance not always written, but rich and complex.”

Vineyard Philosophy

In the terraced vineyards of San Giacomo di Teglio, located at altitudes between 500 and 600 meters, Barbacàn cultivates its vines using natural, sustainable methods. The soils, of granitic and sandy origin, combined with the mountain climate, contribute freshness and minerality to the wine. Each plot is managed with respect for the rhythms of nature—no herbicides, no chemical fertilizers, only manual work and intuition.

Winemaking Approach

The Liom 2023 is produced with spontaneous fermentation in terracotta amphorae, using only indigenous yeasts. No filtration, no clarification—just the pure energy of the fruit and the breath of the earth. The choice of amphora emphasizes the ancestral, artisanal nature of this wine, giving it a tactile, vibrant character. The aging in amphora preserves aromatic integrity and minerality, resulting in a wine that is alive, agile, and deeply territorial.

Tasting Notes

Color: light ruby with brilliant reflections.
Nose: delicate and expressive, offering notes of red currant, pomegranate, wild strawberry, and alpine herbs.
Palate: juicy, fresh, and savory, with fine tannins and a lively, mineral-driven finish. The amphora aging adds subtle texture and a sense of earthiness, balancing fruit and freshness with precision.

Food Pairings

Perfect with charcuterie, alpine cheeses, mushroom dishes, and roasted poultry. Thanks to its energy and aromatic brightness, Liom 2023 also pairs beautifully with vegetarian cuisine and mountain-inspired dishes. Serve slightly cool, at 16–18°C.

Technical Sheet

• Appellation: Alpi Retiche IGT

• Producer: Barbacàn

• Vintage: 2023

• Grapes: Ròssola, Ròssolino, Ròssolino Rosa (native varieties)

• Altitude: 500–600 m a.s.l.

• Soil: sandy, granitic

• Fermentation: spontaneous, in terracotta amphorae

• Aging: in amphora

• Alcohol: 13% vol

• Serving Temperature: 16–18°C

• Contains sulfites

Barbacan

History

In the heart of Valtellina, among the steep slopes of San Giacomo di Teglio, lies Barbacan, a small family-run winery that embodies the deep connection between people, land, and tradition. Founded by Angelo Sega and now carried forward by his sons Luca and Matteo, the estate reflects the Alpine spirit, where every gesture follows the rhythm of nature. Across six hectares of terraced vineyards, Barbacan cultivates Chiavennasca—the local expression of Nebbiolo—alongside ancient native varieties that preserve the region’s agricultural heritage. Each harvest is an act of memory, a dialogue between past and present.

Vineyard Philosophy

Barbacan believes in natural viticulture, where human knowledge serves the land rather than controls it. The team works through observation, guided by nature’s own signals—the melting snow, the ripening hay in the valley, the water springing from the rock. Their goal is to protect the vitality of the soil and the genetic diversity of traditional vines, keeping alive the cultural identity of the Alps. Manual care and ancestral gestures replace all industrial interventions, allowing the vineyard to express itself freely.

Winemaking Approach

In the cellar, Barbacan transforms the purity of the grapes into wine without artifice or manipulation. Healthy, living grapes undergo spontaneous fermentations with native yeasts, preserving the integrity of each variety and vintage. There are no unnecessary additives or aggressive filtrations—only the essence of fruit and place. Each year is expressed in its uniqueness, celebrating the true character of every vintage and the micro-terroirs of Teglio. Human touch acts as a subtle interpreter, never as a controller.

The Identity of an Alpine People

Barbacan is more than a winery—it is a declaration of love for the mountains and for the ancient viticultural culture of Valtellina. Every bottle tells a story of harmony between man and nature, shaped by hard work and devotion. These wines embody the authenticity of the Alps, the echo of wind through the terraces, the bright light that defines every grape. In their Chiavennasca, Barbacan captures the most sincere and human voice of this Alpine land.