Erbaluce is a white grape of northern Piedmont, grown mainly around the town of Caluso, between Turin and Ivrea. It makes crisp, dry whites with lemon, green apple and white flowers, as well as sparkling wines and a sweet passito.
The name is often linked to the words alba lucet, "the dawn shines", after the coppery, pink colour the ripe berries take in the sun. A local legend tells of a nymph called Albaluce, whose tears gave birth to the vines. Erbaluce has been grown in the Canavese area for centuries. Its very high acidity makes it unusual among Italian whites and well suited to sparkling wine and to drying the grapes for sweet wine.
The dry wine is fresh and lively, and is often drunk within a few years, although good examples can age well thanks to their acidity. The sparkling wines, usually made by the traditional method, are crisp and fine. The Caluso Passito is made from dried grapes and is sweet and rich, with apricot, honey, dried figs and nuts, balanced by fresh acidity.
Start with a dry Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG, then try a sparkling version and, for dessert, a Caluso Passito. Producers worth knowing include Orsolani, Ferrando, Benito Favaro, Ilaria Salvetti, Tappero Merlo and Cieck.
Erbaluce grows in the same part of Piedmont as Nebbiolo, and shares its fresh style with Cortese, the grape of Gavi, and Arneis. Read our best Piedmont wines, the Italian white wine guide, or browse the grape varieties index.