{"title":"Fratelli Alessandria","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt the northern edge of the Barolo zone, the sun-bleached, sandstone homes in the village of Verduno glow in the soft morning light. A cool breeze from the river Tanaro rustles the leaves of oak trees that border south-facing vineyards, soaking up the sun’s early rays. The Alessandria family since the mid-19th century has called this gentle landscape home. In 1870, when the family first established their farm, calling it Fratelli Alessandria, Verduno was the center of Barolo winemaking — it was here where families first crafted dry Nebbiolo wines in the style we know today, and also bottled wines individually instead of shipping in cask. Because of this, the village was internationally recognized as the face of Barolo and sought out by collectors across the European continent. Today Verduno is experiencing a renaissance, and it is the 'brothers' Alessandria who are guiding the wines of Verduno back to the heights they once held. It is of course a family affair — the brothers Gian Battista and Alessandro, and today, Alessandro’s son, Vittore, are the stewards of this generations-old estate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuch history has given the family a deep understanding of how to work the vines in their local soils, called “marne di Sant’Agata,” a mix of sand and clay with a high proportion of limestone, unique to Verduno. Vineyards are farmed according to organic practices, grapes are harvested by hand, are destemmed and fermented on indigenous yeasts. Wines are aged in the family’s 19th-century underground cellar, the Alessandria family provides a “mirror to the landscape,” Vittore says, respecting the history of their forefathers yet \"looking ahead” to ensure that what’s in each bottle reflects the true essence of Verduno.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"fratelli-alessandria-verduno-pelaverga-speziale-2024","title":"Fratelli Alessandria Verduno Pelaverga Speziale 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClose readers and frequent shoppers will know by now that we can get, shall we say, a little Pelaverga preoccupied, essentially jumping at the chance to snag whatever we can of this Verduno speciality, one for whom there are less than 20 local producers (and fewer exported). Pelaverga is at its core lively and refreshing; pale in color and lithe on the palate, what Pelaverga may lack in tannins and heft, it makes up for in its delightful, very distinctive floral aromatics and vibrant acidity (hello, food-friendly). It's full of wild strawberry and rose with a dash of plum jam and hallmark herbal notes – rosemary, wild thyme, anise – with a hint of fresh white pepper at the end. It takes well to a chill and most any meal, with a combination of esoteric pedigree and extreme agreeability that’s hard to match, and this year's from Fratelli Alessandria is no exception. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 2024 'Speziale' is a staggeringly bright, deliciously \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003ezippy, and mineral-driven wine, with amped-up, high-toned red fruit, orange peel, mint, sage, and cedar. An exquisite example of one of our favorite varieties.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"North Berkeley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41352081801296,"sku":null,"price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1016\/7695\/files\/FratelliAlessandriaPelaverga.jpg?v=1727107088"},{"product_id":"fratelli-alessandria-barolo-san-lorenzo-di-verduno-202","title":"Fratelli Alessandria Barolo San Lorenzo di Verduno 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVittore Alessandria's 2021 Barolos are hugely promising. The Sarn Lorenzo is a\u003c\/span\u003e wine of translucence, elegance, and finesse. Bright acids cut through a core of red and purple fruit, chalk, slate, crushed stone, and white pepper. Rose petal, blood orange peel, and mint resonate on the high-toned, intensely saline finish.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"North Berkeley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41352192032848,"sku":null,"price":115.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1016\/7695\/files\/FratelliAlessandriaSanLorenzoBarolo.png?v=1758072285"},{"product_id":"fratelli-alessandria-barolo-monvigliero-2021","title":"Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Monvigliero 2021","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eA standout from Vittore Alessandria. The aromatics alone are haunting in their beauty: rose petal, tangerine peel, cinnamon, kirsch, pomegranate and mint explode from eh glass. Beams of supporting tannin give the wine its vertical build.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"North Berkeley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41352197570640,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1016\/7695\/files\/FratelliAlessandriaMonviglieroBarolo.png?v=1758072568"},{"product_id":"fratelli-alessandria-barolo-gramolere-2021","title":"Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Gramolere 2021","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eVittore Alessandria's 2021 Barolos are hugely promising. Black cherry, gravel, spice, new leather, licorice, and crushed rocks in the Gramolere add to an impression of gravitas. A \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003edark, hulking wine right now, the 2021 is going to need time to be at its best but already showcases velvety tannins, balanced acidity, and an exceptional finish with darker mineral accents. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"North Berkeley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41352200749136,"sku":null,"price":115.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1016\/7695\/files\/FratelliAlessandriaGramolereBarolo.png?v=1758072782"}],"url":"https:\/\/biondivino.com\/collections\/fratelli-alessandria\/grenache+ortrugo.oembed","provider":"Biondivino","version":"1.0","type":"link"}