Pepi Lignana Il Cucchetto

Pepi Lignana Il Cucchetto is a white wine from Piedmont's Monferrato hills, made entirely from Grignolino, a rare red-skinned grape typically vinified in the traditional rose method the locals call "ramato" — copper-toned, not quite red, not quite white. The Pepi family has worked these vineyards since the 1950s, and this bottling showcases Grignolino's singular character: high-acid structure, pale garnet-to-copper hue, and a tannin profile more delicate than any other Piedmontese red. What makes Il Cucchetto unusual for a Grignolino is its full vinification with extended skin contact, landing it in the whites category despite its color and aromatics tilting toward light red fruit. The Pepi Lignana estate sits in the commune of Alfiano Natta, where sandy calcareous soils and a cool microclimate favor Grignolino's notoriously thin skins and finicky ripening. The family farms twenty hectares organically, hand-harvesting each parcel at optimal phenolic maturity. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts, and the wine sees a brief period on skins to extract color and subtle tannin without overwhelming the grape's inherent delicacy. No oak is used, preserving the varietal's transparency and aromatic lift. The wine pours an intense garnet with purplish glints, almost like a very pale Nebbiolo. The nose is complex and fruity, offering spiced red berries, crushed rose petal, white pepper, and a hint of bitter almond. On the palate, the same ripe red fruit notes carry through — cranberry, sour cherry — wrapped in softness and surprising fullness for a grape this light-bodied, with balancing acidity and a long, persistent finish. Pour it slightly chilled alongside charcuterie, roasted chicken, or mushroom risotto; the wine's tannin and acid make it as food-friendly as any serious white or light red in the Piedmont canon. Available for pickup at our Lincoln Park bottle shop at 1128 W Armitage Ave, local Chicago delivery, or nationwide shipping.