Luigi Baudana 'Dragon', Langhe Bianco 2024

This interesting and unusual Piedmontese white is made with mainly Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc along with the rare but high quality local grape Nascetta and rounded off with a little Riesling. In the glass it has aromas of citrus, hawthorn, blossom and a stony minerality and the palate is dry and very fresh with a great balance between a steely minerality, savouriness and a fleshy creaminess. Not the sort of blend you'll come across much in this part of the world.

A perfect aperitivo wine, or try with salads, fish, shellfish, or lighter pasta dishes. It's also capable of ageing for a few years.

You can think of Luigi Baudana as a proper garagiste operation. Nestled in the commune of Serralunga d'Alba they operate with only a few hectares of vineyards and a diminutive winery. In 2009, Luigi Baudana and his wife Fiorina, after years of dedicated work were contemplating retirement and despite lucrative offers for their prime sites, they chose to partner with the nearby GD Vajra, to ensure the estate retained its identity rather than be subsumed into a larger entity. It's good to report the vineyards continue to produce excellent fruit, and with the Vajra influence in the cellar, the wines have reached new heights.