Favorita

Favorita is Piedmont’s charming coastal transplant, a fresh and fragrant white grape that brings a breath of Mediterranean sea air to a region famous for its mighty reds. Grown chiefly in the sandy hills of the Roero near Alba, it offers crisp, delicately perfumed wines that provide a graceful counterpoint to Barolo and Barbaresco. For those seeking a lighter, refreshing side of Piedmont, Favorita is a delightful discovery.

Origins and history Favorita is a white grape grown primarily in Piedmont, though DNA profiling has revealed that it is genetically identical to the Ligurian grapes Vermentino and Pigato, forming part of a single varietal group with probable origins on the coast. Tradition holds that it travelled inland to Piedmont along the old salt and oil roads, carried on the merchant caravans that linked the Ligurian sea to the hills of Alba. Its name, meaning the favoured one, hints at the esteem in which it was long held.

A grape of the Roero Favorita found its Piedmontese home on the left bank of the Tanaro river, in the sandy soils of the Roero near Alba, with some plantings across the river in the Langhe. These light, well-drained soils suit the grape’s affinity for freshness and finesse. Long grown as a local speciality and sometimes overshadowed by the region’s great reds, Favorita has its own devoted following among lovers of crisp, aromatic Italian whites.

Appearance and structure The wines are pale straw yellow with greenish highlights, light to medium-bodied and defined by a crisp, refreshing acidity. Favorita ripens late and holds its acidity well, giving the wines vibrancy and freshness. A light, pleasantly bitter almond note on the finish, reminiscent of grapefruit peel, adds character and contributes to the grape’s crisp, harmonious and thoroughly refreshing style.

Aromatic profile Favorita offers a delicate, aromatic profile dominated by floral notes of acacia, hawthorn, lily of the valley and white violet, alongside fruity aromas of green apple, pear and peach and a subtle citrus lift of lemon and lime. Mineral undertones add complexity, while the signature almond-like bitterness lingers on the close. The overall impression is fresh, floral and gently perfumed.

In the vineyard The grape produces medium to large berries with greenish skins that turn golden or amber in the sun, in loosely compact bunches. It favours the sandy and medium-textured soils of the Roero, which encourage balanced growth and preserve its aromatic freshness. Its late ripening and good acidity retention make it well suited to producing lively, refreshing whites in a region better known for its reds.

In the cellar Favorita is almost always vinified in a fresh, protective style in stainless steel, preserving its delicate floral aromatics and crisp acidity for early, immediate enjoyment. The emphasis is firmly on freshness and fragrance rather than richness or oak. Its clean, aromatic character makes it a straightforward and rewarding grape to vinify, yielding bright, food-friendly wines that showcase its Ligurian heritage.

Key expressions

• Fresh, floral Langhe Favorita from the Roero and Langhe.
• Crisp, unoaked whites for early, easy drinking.
• Mineral versions from the sandy Roero soils.
• A refreshing white counterpoint to Piedmont’s great reds.

The question of aging Favorita is above all a grape for youthful enjoyment, its charm lying in its fresh, floral aromatics and crisp acidity. Most bottles are best drunk within a year or two of the vintage, while the perfume is at its most vivid and the fruit at its most vibrant. This is not a wine built for the cellar; its appeal is bright, immediate and refreshing rather than deep or evolving.

At the table Its freshness, delicate perfume and crisp acidity make Favorita an excellent aperitif and a natural partner for lighter fare. It flatters seafood and freshwater fish, fresh vegetables, salads, risotto and the region’s delicate antipasti, and offers welcome refreshment alongside richer Piedmontese dishes. Serve it well chilled to accentuate its floral, thirst-quenching character.

Why it matters Favorita gives red-dominated Piedmont a fresh and fragrant white of genuine charm, a Ligurian transplant that has become a local speciality of the Roero. Its identity with Vermentino and Pigato makes it a fascinating example of how one grape can take on new character in a new home. For those seeking the lighter, refreshing face of Piedmont, Favorita is a graceful and rewarding find.