2024 Fratelli Alessandria Verduno Pelaverga Speziale, Piedmont

The 2024 Pelaverga Speziale is a light-bodied, aromatic wine to drink now and over the next handful of years. Floral and savory overtones grace this soft, fruity Pelaverga. Sweet dried red fruits and small red berries linger nicely.

88 points AG Vinous

From the tiny village of Verduno, where this rare grape has long found its true home, Pelaverga Piccolo is one of Piedmont’s most distinctive reds, and Fratelli Alessandria is its leading champion. The Alessandria family, now led by Vittore Alessandria, has preserved this local specialty with care, crafting a wine that captures both tradition and a sense of place.

The 2024 Speziale is bright, fragrant and immediately engaging. Pale ruby in the glass, the aromatics are unmistakable, red cherry, wild strawberry and raspberry lifted by rose petal and a signature crack of white pepper. There is a gentle herbal note and a touch of spice that give it real character.

The palate is light to medium bodied, with vibrant red fruits carried by fine, delicate tannins. Fresh acidity keeps everything lively, while that peppery spice threads through the wine, adding energy and a slightly savoury edge. It finishes clean, bright and quietly persistent.

This is a wine made for the table. Think salumi, vitello tonnato, or simple pasta dishes with herbs and olive oil. It also works beautifully with lighter meats and vegetable driven plates where its freshness can shine.

Best enjoyed young over the next three to five years while its aromatics are at their most expressive.

There is a joyful, almost playful quality here, a wine that feels uniquely Verduno, offering fragrance, spice and a refreshing change of pace.