Viridis Langhe Sauvignon

Burlotto makes two Sauvignons from the same Castagna parcel in Verduno (1.46 ha planted to Sauvignon Blanc and Barbera, sharing the slope): Viridis, the tank-raised, more primary-aromatic of the pair, and Dives, the older-vines, oak-aged sibling. The Sauvignon rows sit at 340 m on the NW-facing flank of Castagna.

Hand-harvested in 20-kilo crates, destemmed, gently pressed - with the option of brief skin contact in some vintages, but not as a fixture. Cold static settling of the must, then alcoholic fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel; malolactic blocked by refrigeration to preserve aromatics. Short refinement on fine lees in steel (duration not disclosed), bottled in late winter or early spring after harvest - so around five to seven months in tank. No oak. 13.5% ABV.

2023 in the Langhe was a vigilance vintage: a wet, mildew-prone spring followed by a brutal July with 40°C-plus peaks and a 6-7 July hailstorm that cut yields locally by 60-70%; ripening dragged into late October. For whites the consortium rated Sauvignon Blanc strongly, calling out aromatic lift, moderate alcohol, and good freshness compared with the scorching 2022 - a quietly good year in the glass for aromatic whites once the work in the vineyard was done.