# Fuoricasa Cordero di Montezemolo (2025)

- **Producer:** Cordero di Montezemolo
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Pelaverga
- **Region:** Piemonte, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €18
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–13 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** violet, strawberry, redcurrant, white pepper

## About this wine

Fuoricasa is a unique, contemporary addition to the historic portfolio of Cordero di Montezemolo, a legendary estate in La Morra, Piedmont, established in 1430. Created by the 19th generation, Elena and Alberto Cordero di Montezemolo, this wine is born from a desire to work with the rare, native Pelaverga grape. Because their newly acquired vineyard in Cherasco lies just outside the official boundaries of the Verduno Pelaverga DOC, they were legally required to label it under the broader Langhe DOC. Embracing this geographical quirk, they named the wine 'Fuoricasa' ('Away from home') and adorned the bottle with an open birdcage illustration, symbolizing freedom from rigid municipal boundaries and traditional wine-drinking conventions.

## Interesting facts

- The name Fuoricasa translates to 'Away from home,' referencing the vineyard's location just outside the official Verduno Pelaverga boundary.
- The label features an open birdcage, symbolizing freedom from rigid municipal borders and traditional wine-drinking conventions.
- This wine represents the inaugural 2025 vintage, marking the first time this historic Barolo producer has released a Pelaverga.

## Food pairing

This light-bodied red is incredibly versatile due to its low tannins, high acidity, and distinctive cracked white pepper spice. It acts as a perfect bridge for both light meats and fatty fish, cutting through richness while complementing herbal and savory elements.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for Fuoricasa is designed to highlight the fresh, aromatic, and spicy characteristics of the Pelaverga grape. The grapes are sourced from certified organic vineyards in Cherasco, characterized by limestone-clay soils. Following a meticulous hand-harvest, only 50% of the grapes are destemmed and crushed, while the remaining 50% are kept as whole clusters. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled concrete vats at 24°C to 25°C for approximately three weeks. Maceration is intentionally kept short to prevent over-extraction of color and heavy tannins. To preserve the vibrant primary fruit and signature white pepper spice, the wine is aged entirely without oak contact, maturing in stainless steel and concrete before early bottling.