Calamandrana (AT), January 2026 – Barbera d’Asti Le Orme 2023 by Michele Chiarlo (link) has made history by being included in Wine Spectator’s Top 10 Wine Values of 2025, marking the first time a Piedmontese wine enters the Top 10 of the magazine’s yearly selection dedicated to wines with outstanding quality-to-price ratios on the U.S. market. Now in its fifth year, the list features wines that scored at least 90 points, retail for $40 or less, and are available in quantities that allow for broad distribution.
Barbera d’Asti Le Orme 2023, rated 90/100 by Senior Editor Bruce Sanderson, who covers Burgundy, Piedmont and Tuscany, was produced in approximately 30,000 cases. It stood out for its clear and immediate expression of variety and origin – combining freshness, balance and drinkability. Designed to be accessible yet stylistically rigorous, it offers a modern take on one of Piedmont’s most emblematic wines.
Michele Chiarlo has long championed Barbera, consistently earning recognition from international publications and competitions. In 2018, Nizza DOCG Cipressi was named “Wine of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast, a milestone that played a key role in establishing Nizza as a benchmark denomination for Barbera. More recently, in 2023, Nizza DOCG Cipressi 2019 ranked 54th in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the Year, while Barbera d’Asti Le Orme 2021 reached 11th place among Wine Enthusiast’s Best Buys. This commitment was further recognised in 2025, when Michele Chiarlo was awarded “European Producer of the Year” at the Sommelier Wine Awards, where Barbera-based wines achieved outstanding results: Gold Medal for Nizza DOCG Riserva La Court 2021 and Silver Medal for Nizza DOCG Cipressi 2022.
“The Chiarlo family is honoured to be part of such a selective and prestigious ranking – it’s a recognition of the work we’ve done to raise the profile of Barbera d’Asti internationally, a journey our father Michele began more than 50 years ago.” says Stefano Chiarlo, winemaker and co-owner with his brother Alberto. “At this point in time, following UNESCO recognition, having a wine that represents Piedmont – and Monferrato in particular – included in the ranking carries special meaning. It shines a light on the Barbera d’Asti denomination and on the many producers who are working with dedication to elevate this territory,”
Wine Spectator is the world’s leading authority on wine. Read by approximately 3 million people worldwide, the brand includes the print magazine, WineSpectator.com, major events and some of the most authoritative wine reviews on the international scene.
“Producers around the world are making a range of high-quality wines at affordable prices. That’s why, for the fifth year in a row, we’ve asked our editors to select the best value wines of the past twelve months,” said Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher of Wine Spectator. “From Rioja and Piedmont to Oregon and California, this list shows that great regions and great wines can still be accessible.”
The Top 10 Wine Values of 2025 can be found on WineSpectator.com and will also be featured in the January/February issue of the magazine, including a dedicated Smart Buys section highlighting 125 outstanding value wines.
Barbera d’Asti Le Orme 2023
Barbera d’Asti Le Orme 2023 is sourced from a selection of vineyards in southern Asti and offers an immediate and authentic expression of Barbera’s ability to adapt and excel even in a challenging vintage such as 2023. The hot, dry growing season—rebalanced by August rainfall and an early harvest—resulted in a wine of deep colour, with a bouquet rich in ripe red fruit and fine, sweet nuances. On the palate it is full and velvety, with a harmonious structure supported by remarkable freshness and a pleasant saline finish. Vinified exclusively in stainless steel, Le Orme reflects “the Chiarlo style in its most accessible form: balance, elegance and drinkability, without sacrificing depth and a strong sense of place,” explains Stefano Chiarlo.
