To our surprise, Castello di Verduno "Basadone" Pelaverga 2016 was the most talked about wine at our recent "Taming of the Italian Wine" tasting.
Castello di Verduno Estate
Castello di Verduno "Basadone" Pelaverga 2016 has a beautiful story to tell. Castello di Verduno estate has a history that stretches over a half a millennium. Fruit for this wine sourced from vineyards in the Massara and Olmo crus that continuously grow grapes since the 1600s. The name of the wine comes from the local wild poppy flower called Basadone that translates as a kiss from local dialect and believed to be an aphrodisiac.
Castello di Verduno "Basadone" made from Pelaverga Piccolo grape that is native to Verduno and it's as terroir as it gets. We are lucky to drink this wine today because in the 1960s there were only a few vines left and Castello di Verduno responsible for its come back. Grazie!
Tasting Notes
Only the beauty of wild poppy can convey the romantic characteristics of Basadone. The aromas of strawberry compote, chocolate dipped sour cherry and licorice made us stick our noses in a glass over and over and to take it all in. The fruit flavors of wild strawberry, tart cherry, and herbs left the impression that it's hard to forget.
That's why we thought that our guest who is at the beginning of their wine connoisseur journey may not appreciate the delicate character of Pelaverga as much when Pio Cesare Il Brico Barbaresco will follow. They proved us wrong. More people out of our forty guests liked Basadone.
Pelaverga lately gaining momentum and sophisticated Italian restaurants might have on the menu. It is delicious on its own and pairs well with meat pasta dishes alike.
It might be challenging to find a bottle in the ordinary liquor store. Most likely you'll have to get it online. Have you tasted Pelaverga yet? Did you like it?