The Favorita grape is a charmingly captivating white wine grape variety predominantly grown in the Piedmont region of Italy. Known for its floral and fruity characteristics, the grape is also cultivated on the lower slopes of Roero, taking full advantage of the rich and fertile soil found there.
The Favorita grape is primarily used to produce crisp and light wines, notably suitable for summer refreshment. It offers an exciting palate profile that brings out succulent peach, ripe pear, lively citrus and subtly floral notes. Wine made from the Favorita grape is known to sport a light straw-yellow colour, so subtle and pleasing that it dances in the afternoon sunlight.
The grapevines themselves are usually grown on traditional 'Guyot' trellises. This grape variety boasts medium-sized bunches that are cylindrical and sparse, with small, round and golden yellow berries. The Favorita grape ripens in the middle of September, giving the growers the opportunity to monitor the maturity perfectly.
Despite the Italian roots, one can taste the terroir's influence on the wine when grown in the rolling hills of England's South. Here, it beautifully assimilates the local terroir's unique characteristics, making it a fantastic grape for English winemaking ventures.
However, the Favorita grape has struggled to return to its former glory after the ravages of Phylloxera. Italian wine laws' changes have also affected the grape, leading to a significant reduction in plantings. Overall, only about 200 hectares of Favorita remain today.
The Favorita grape, in its home region of Italy and beyond, deserves recognition for its genuinely multi-dimensional profile, its affinity to its terroir, and its ability to create vibrant, well-balanced wines. Its journey has been filled with highs and lows, but it is a grape that undeniably adds value to the global viticulture landscape. Whether savoured on its own or used to balance out a blend, the Favorita grape stands as a testament to the richness and diversity of the wine world.
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