A Princess’s Favorite: Fratelli Alessandria Favorita
Fratelli Alessandria, established in Verduno in 1830, is one of Barolo’s great traditional estates, known for precision and wines that speak clearly of where they come from. While their Barolo gets the headlines, this Favorita quietly steals the show with charm and just the right amount of swagger. Also, this is the rarest wine that Fratelli Alessandria makes, with old vines and only a third of a hectare planted.
Favorita is a close relative of Vermentino, and you can taste the family resemblance from the first sip: bright citrus, orchard fruit, Mediterranean herbs, and that unmistakable saline snap that makes Vermentino such a warm-weather hero. Locally the grape is called Favorita because it was the favorite grape of a princess who once lived in the region, which feels entirely appropriate. This wine carries itself with the kind of effortless elegance that suggests it has, at some point, owned a small crown.
The 2024 vintage delivered exactly what you want in a white from the Langhe: vibrant aromatics, pristine acidity, and a sense of balance that makes the wine both refreshing and quietly serious. The nose is all white peach, pear, lemon blossom, and wildflowers, with subtle notes of almond, crushed stone, and sea breeze. On the palate, it’s crisp, silky, and endlessly drinkable, finishing clean and mineral, with the kind of snap that has you reaching for the next pour before you’ve fully processed the last. This is a bottle that thrives at the table but it is equally dangerous as an aperitif, because one glass somehow becomes three without negotiation.
The 2024 Fratelli Alessandria Favorita is a rare combination: a historic estate, a noble local grape with a great backstory, and a wine that delivers serious pleasure without ever taking itself too seriously. Consider it Piemonte’s most charming secret, and your new favorite white for the season.
