30 years of Verduno Pelaverga DOC, the spicy wine of the Langhe

On September 9, 2025, Verduno celebrated thirty years of Verduno Pelaverga DOC. An institutional bottle was unveiled with Elisabetta Buglioni di Monale’s label “Once Upon a Time There Was the Sea Here,” depicting the Langhe from Verduno’s Belvedere. Sandro Minella of Verduno è Uno moderated the accompanying conference.

Ian D’Agata described the denomination as a microcosm shaped by laminated Sant’Agata fossil marls, Cassano Spinola formations, gypsum veins, La Morra conglomerates and the influence of the Tanaro. The DOC initiative was attributed to Renata Salvano, mayor of Verduno in 1995, and a group of young producers. Research involving the Universities of Milan and Turin, Seminario Veronelli and Dr. Oberto’s thesis supported recognition of both Pelaverga piccolo and its territory; six wineries completed the process.

Over thirty years, vineyard area grew from 7 ha to more than 35 ha, the number of producers from 6 to 20 and production from about 40,000 to more than 260,000 bottles. Maurizio Petrozziello linked the characteristic black-pepper aroma to a high concentration of rotundone; the sensory profile also included rose and raspberry.