Monterustico Langhe White

Tasting Notes Monterustico Langhe Bianco

The Monterustico Bianco opens with refined aromas of citrus, orange zest, and ripe peach, complemented by floral notes and a light cedar-like freshness. On the palate, the wine is juicy and elegant, with a medium body, remarkably fresh acidity, and a subtle minerality stemming from the calcareous marl and sandstone soils of the Langhe hills.

Wine & Food

Monterustico Langhe Bianco performs particularly well as an aperitif, but truly shines with light dishes such as antipasti, shellfish, or a crispy fritto misto. Its combination of fresh acidity, ripe white fruit, and light spiciness also pairs beautifully with grilled white fish, salads with citrus accents, or soft cheeses.

Additional Information

This wine is a project by G.D. Vajra, the renowned family behind famous Barolo wines, who, with Monterustico (rustic mountain), aim to revive a historic and partially abandoned wine region around Dogliani. The blend primarily consists of local grapes like Arneis and Nascetta, sometimes complemented by a small amount of Sauvignon Blanc or other indigenous varieties, sourced from steep slopes with a cool microclimate due to Alpine winds and the proximity of the Tanaro river.

Aldo Vajra of the eponymous Vajra winery has always been a bit rebellious. And it’s a good thing too, because this characteristic has led to this magnificent winery with its authentic wines. The story begins when, at fifteen, Aldo is pulled off the streets of Turin during a demonstration by his father and sent to his grandparents’ farm. That summer, Aldo spends a lot of time in the vineyards, where his interest in winemaking is sparked. He joins Suole e Salute, an organization for organic wines in Italy. At just 18, he produces his first organic wines in Piedmont.

Fun fact

The Monterustico Langhe Bianco is actually an ode to how Piedmontese vineyards used to look. In old vineyards, various local grape varieties were often planted together, partly out of tradition and partly out of necessity. The Vajra family used this idea as inspiration for this wine. For example, the 2023 was a blend of approximately 35% Arneis, 25% Favorita, 25% Nascetta, and smaller quantities of Manzoni Bianco and Rossese Bianco.