Once known as "Favorita di Corneliano d'Alba", it is here, perhaps, that its origin is to be sought. Otherwise, very little is recorded about its history, the earliest references being from the 19th century.Favorita prefers light, dry soils. For this reason, it has always been cutivated on a wide scale in the Roero district. The grapes were once used for eating. When made into wine, they were blended with "Nebbiolo" or "Barbera" to improve the taste and enrich the aroma. When vinified on their own, after filtration of the must, they gave wines that were much in vogue for church services. Over the last fifty years, there has been a steady reduction in the number of vines, since they are not a paying proposition. In addition, there has been strong competition from Arneis, the Roero's other white variety, which has now surpassed Favorita in importance.
None the less, it still produces an excellent wine for drinking with fish, elegant, slightly acidulous and with a dry taste. It is pale straw-yellow in colour and its alcohol content is about 11°.
Last updated 30-Jun-97
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