Articles

Comm. G.B. Burlotto

Verduno, Piedmont

G.B. Burlotto is one of the Langhe's great historical estates. Giovan Battista Burlotto purchased prime plots in two of the zone's most famous vineyards, Cannubi and Monvigliero, and during his seventy-seven years as a winemaker (1850-1927), his accomplishments were rivaled only by those of Biondi-Santi and Vega Sicilia, as G.B. achieved fame in a world dominated by French wines. Today, Burlotto has re-emerged as one of Piemonte's great small producers, thanks to the brilliant and highly traditional winemaking of G.B.'s great-great-grandson, Fabio Alessandria.

G.B. Burlotto pioneered selling Barolo in bottle (not cask or demijohn), predating even Giacomo Conterno's Barolo Monfortino. And as official supplier to the Royal House of Savoy, which once ruled Piemonte, he not only achieved personal fame, he made his village of Verduno as renowned as Serralunga or La Morra.

G.B.’s death in 1927 not only took away Burlotto's driving force, it also deprived Verduno of its greatest champion. And so both faded into obscurity in the decades that followed. But now, with G.B.’s great-great-grandson Fabio Alessandria as winemaker, Burlotto’s star is again rising, reclaiming its position as one of Piedmont’s great small producers.

The estate is composed of over 12 hectares, almost 10 of which are located in the municipality of Verduno. All wines are some of the most spectacular in all of Piedmont: fragrant on the nose, with bright fruit and velvety tannins, they bring out the characteristics of each individual grape, whether Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto or the less well-known Pelaverga. Winemaking is firmly traditional with, the emphasis on large oak barrels, though there is a preference here for French, rather than Slavonian oak.

 

"These are some of the most compelling, traditionally made wines in Piedmont". Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Main Wines

Langhe Sauvignon Dives

Verduno Pelaverga

Langhe Nebbiolo

Barbera d'Alba Aves

Barolo

Barolo Acclivi

Barolo Cannubi

Barolo Monvigliero