The Langhe: a land of great age-worthy red wines? Without a doubt. But not exclusively. In this territory of Nebbiolo and Barolo, there are also a number of “white gems” capable of surprising even the most experienced wine lovers. Among them is Dragon, produced here by Luigi Baudana. We are in Serralunga d'Alba, a village renowned for its austere, limestone-rich soils that give wines a distinctive backbone. Luigi Baudana has interpreted this terroir in an unconventional way, cultivating north-facing vineyards on marl-rich soils packed with stones. This unique positioning ensures freshness in the grapes and excellent day-to-night temperature variation. The wine’s name tells a charming local story. Dragon was in fact the nickname of the family who once owned the farmhouse, a tribute to the area's rural roots. An unusual and eclectic blend. Luigi Baudana combines the structure of Chardonnay with the aromatic freshness of Sauvignon Blanc, then adds Riesling and Nascetta. The latter is a true rarity, an indigenous Langhe grape variety that nearly disappeared in the past and is now happily rediscovered for its remarkable savoury character. Whole bunches undergo very gentle pressing with minimal skin contact. Fermentation takes place slowly at low temperatures in stainless steel tanks. To preserve a sharp and precise acidic profile, malolactic fermentation is not carried out. During the winter, the wine matures on its fine lees with very limited bâtonnage before being bottled in February of the following year. It displays a bright straw-yellow colour. On the nose, it opens with an exciting aromatic spectrum featuring green apple, acacia blossom and hawthorn, enriched by notes of freshly baked bread and tropical fruit. Fresh hints of mint, chalk and flint complete the bouquet. On the palate, it is savoury, taut and remarkably flavourful. Apricot notes return alongside an intriguing touch of lime pie. The finish is long, clean and driven by pronounced minerality.