Castello di Verduno 'Basadone' 2024 Pelaverga Verduno DOC Piemonte

750ml bottle
% abv

Pale red, translucent, and pretty in the glass. The nose hints at power, with crushed raspberry and cracked black pepper accenting sweet floral tones. The palate follows with strawberry, blood orange, bramble, and bitter herbs. Sharp, vertical acidity with very fine, crunchy tannins. Fun but not unserious.

100% Pelaverga Piccolo, an indigenous Piedmontese variety grown in the village of Verduno in the Langhe. Organic farming. Native yeasts; minimal sulfur. Vinified entirely in stainless steel to preserve primary fruit and freshness. 

Pelaverga Piccolo is a variety almost entirely confined to Verduno and its immediate surroundings, distinct from the larger-berried Pelaverga Grosso grown elsewhere in Piedmont. Its calling card is white pepper, a spice characteristic shared with Gruner Veltliner and Schiava, paired with a light body and high-toned red fruit. The name Basadone comes from local dialect meaning a small kiss, also the regional name for the poppy flower.

Castello di Verduno was established in the 16th century; King Carlo Alberto of Savoy acquired the property in 1838 and appointed enologist General Staglieno, credited with some of the earliest modern vinifications of Nebbiolo that helped shape Barolo as an appellation. The Burlotto family has owned the estate since 1909; Franco Bianco and Gabriella Burlotto currently manage it, with Mario Andrion as enologist since 2000.