Won’t you be my…Pelaverga?

When it comes to Valentine’s day I am usually a big believer in the whole love is actually all around us thing- from the stranger who holds a heavy door, to the pup you pass in the park who looks at you with an expression that says I get it, to your mom/kid/kindred spirit who loves you entirely- even the crazy parts. That being said, when we talk Valentine, we’re talking…romance. Whatever that means to you.

The one and only wine you should be pairing with your February 14th comes from northwest Italy’s region of Piedmont. The production zone is Verduno. The grape is Pelaverga Piccolo. The wine is mesmerizing.

Pelaverga is considered an aphrodisiac in Verduno, a small town that houses just eleven producers of the wine.

The wine’s profile goes a little something like this- wild red berries, a bit of white pepper, a savory sort of floral. Lithe in acidity and weight, yet poignant in depth. Just enough tannin to pair perfectly with smoked meats and slightly aged cheeses…or a truffle risotto…I could go on all day. Nice when served with just the slightest chill.

If two aphrodisiacs at once aren’t too much for you to handle I will tell you that Castello di Verduno makes a vinified white Pelaverga (white wine made from softly pressing juices from red grapes) called Bellis Perennis- a perfect pairing for oysters. The wine is something dreamy, almost Burgundian.

Pelaverga is scarce in the U.S. market, but there are a few to be found.

Verduno Pelaverga Basadone DOC 2010 Castello di Verduno

Verduno Pelaverga DOC 2009 Commedator Burlotto

Verduno Pelaverga DOC 2010 Fratelli Alessandria

In NYC, find the white on the wine list at Babbo. Find Pelaverga rosso on the wine list at Locanda Verde. Find both at I Trulli.

Or check your friendly neighborhood wine shop- maybe you’ll get lucky. Pair a bottle with some tunes and an amour. Ooh… La… La…

The Lovers

Will drink wine night and day.
They will drink until they can
tear away the veils of intellect and
melt away the layers of shame and modesty.
When in Love,
body, mind, heart and soul don’t even exist.
Become this,
fall in Love,
and you will not be separated again.

-Rumi