classical quirky vino
Falanghina ‘Insania’
Perfumed nose of grapefruit, mandarin, peach and wisteria, cut with a stony, slightly smoky character. On the palate, the wine is crisp and refreshing, with the mineral structure compensating for falanghina’s naturally low acidity. In lesser hands, falanghina can be flabby and sickly, a far cry from this elegant bottling.
Grown on soils with a high volcanic content, which impart a distinct lean, mineral streak. The wine is so-named because in the Avellino area, falanghina is considered inferior to greco, and it is ‘insane’ to plant such valued land with this variety. Marilena disagrees, and we are glad she does, because it is the best falanghina we have ever tasted!
quick facts
APPELLATION: Irpinia Falanghina DOC
VINTAGE: 2019
STYLE: white
GRAPE: falanghina
FARMING: organic
FERMENTATION: stainless steel
MATURATION: stainless steel
FILTRATION: filtered
ALCOHOL: 13.5%
CASE SIZE: 6
Greco di Tufo
Zingy notes of lime cordial and peach with a tinge of almond. A lean, fresh wine with mouth-watering acidity, this is a versatile food match, but works particularly well with shellfish dishes.
quick facts
APPELLATION: Greco di Tufo DOCG
VINTAGE: 2019
STYLE: white
GRAPE: greco
FARMING: organic
FERMENTATION: stainless steel
MATURATION: stainless steel
FILTRATION: filtered
ALCOHOL: 13.5%
CASE SIZE: 6
Greco di Tufo 'Picoli'
Intensely aromatic nose of lime cordial, grapefruit and peach, and a lingering taste of almond. The rich and slightly oily texture, mouth-watering acidity, and immense fruit concentration call to mind riesling, although the bitter almond note on the finish is distinctly Italian.
The Picoli vineyard is north-east facing and at 500m elevation, allowing the grapes to retain remarkable acidity. This, combined with the intense concentration from the very low yielding vines, highlights the remarkable potential of the greco di tufo grape.
quick facts
APPELLATION: Greco di Tufo DOCG
VINTAGE: 2019
STYLE: white
GRAPE: greco
FARMING: organic
FERMENTATION: stainless steel
MATURATION: stainless steel
FILTRATION: filtered
ALCOHOL: 13.5%
CASE SIZE: 6
Bambinuto
Travelling east from Naples, past Vesuvius and further inland, the roads begin to climb and twist sharply and the air becomes noticeably cooler. This green, mountainous area is known as Irpinia. Small farms are dotted around the hills, many growing olives or grapes or both. In the past, most of the produce was sold to local cooperatives, but more and more are establishing their own wineries. Cantina Bambinuto was founded by Marilena Aufiero in 2004, though her family have owned vines since 1990. There can be no doubt that Bambinuto is the star of Irpinia: Marilena’s wines shine with purity and are undercut by distinct minerality. Her top wine is from the crù Picoli, a greco di tufo vineyard that produces a wine reminiscent of riesling but with a clear Italian edge.
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