Chillable, Food-Loving, Totally Charming
The 2023 Favolalunga Vespolina from Colline Novaresi comes from Alto Piemonte, a historic but still wonderfully overlooked region in northern Piedmont, tucked into the foothills of the Alps. While Barolo and Barbaresco get most of the spotlight, Alto Piemonte has been making elegant, mountain-influenced wines for centuries. The cooler climate, higher elevations, and glacial soils give the wines a completely different personality; lighter on their feet, more aromatic, and defined by freshness and minerality.
Favolalunga is just five hectares of vineyard land, that’s barely over twelve acres in total. This is true small-scale farming, where every row is known and every decision in the vineyard matters. With holdings this size, there’s no room for bulk production or shortcuts; the focus is entirely on quality and expression of place. I love that.
The grape here is Vespolina, a traditional local variety you rarely see on its own but instead blended with its relative Nebbiolo, especially in gattinara and Ghemme. It’s known for its perfume, bright acidity, and a distinctive spicy edge that makes it incredibly food-friendly. In Alto Piemonte’s cool climate and mineral-rich soils, Vespolina produces wines that are full of personality rather than weight.
In the glass, 2023 is all about aromatics and energy. Think wild red berries, crushed raspberries, and a hint of black pepper, along with floral notes and a subtle earthy undertone. The palate is fresh and lively, with silky tannins and a bright line of acidity that keeps everything focused and refreshing. It’s the kind of red that feels light on its feet but still delivers plenty of flavor. This is a fantastic table wine in the best sense of the term. A slight chill doesn’t hurt either, especially if you’re enjoying it with a casual meal or aperitivo-style spread.
If you enjoy reds like Beaujolais, lighter Nebbiolo, or cool-climate Pinot Noir as I do, Vespolina offers a similar brightness and drinkability, but with a distinctly Alpine Italian accent. Bottles like this are a reminder that some of Italy’s most exciting wines come from small growers working tiny parcels in historic regions that haven’t been overexposed.
Only five hectares, a traditional local grape, and the unmistakable freshness of Alto Piemonte makes this the kind of discovery that keeps Italian wine so endlessly fascinating.
93 Points, Vinous Media
The 2023 Vespolina Colline Novaresi Favolalunga is a classy, wonderfully refined wine. Silky tannins and lifted, floral aromatics lend gorgeous finesse. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, chalk, mint and white pepper build as this elegant Vespolina shows off its considerable finesse. This is a real standout.