Pigato

Also known as Pigato di Albenga.

Pigato is a distinctive white grape of western Liguria, centred on the Albenga plain and the Riviera di Ponente. Genetically it is very closely related to (essentially a biotype of) Vermentino and the Piedmontese Favorita, but in Liguria it is treated as a variety in its own right and prized for a fuller, more characterful style.

It gives structured, savoury dry whites with notable body, moderate acidity and flavours of ripe orchard and citrus fruit, herbs, almond and a saline, sometimes slightly bitter finish. The name refers to the small dark spots ('pighe') on the ripe berries.