Beneventano Falanghina 2021

Falanghina is a white grape variety typical of Campania which belongs to the hundred or so autochthonous varieties present in this region of southern Italy and most of which are of Greek origin. It was under the Roman Empire that the wines of this region acquired exceptional notoriety. We can place the revival of indigenous grape varieties and particularly Falanghina at the beginning of the 1980s. This variety almost disappeared in the 1960s with an attempt to generalize productive varieties such as Trebbiano. It is thanks to “enlightened” winegrowers that these magnificent indigenous grape varieties of Campania were preserved, such as Falanghina, Fiano and Greco, to name but a few. We owe them the rebirth of new vineyards planted with native grape varieties in the areas most favorable to vine cultivation.

The vines are deeply rooted in the volcanic soils of the region. After harvest, the grapes are transported to the press as quickly as possible. They are selected and delicately pressed. Fermentation then takes place in stainless vats at controlled temperature. After fermentation, the wine ages on fine lees for several months before bottling. This wine reveals notes of granny apple , lemon , grapefruit , white peach , melon , white flowers and mineral nuances . The palate is tense, lively, intense and marked by a lovely minerality.

Ah Italy, what a beautiful hedonistic country, people of the Dolce Vita, but what difficulty in understanding its wine organization! The key to understanding the naming system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous country because each region has its own naming system. Italy can, however, give wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, as well as bottles filled with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless and characterless wines which are sold under their most useful and commercially reputable name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco and many others... But let's talk a little history, viticulture in Italy dates back to ancient times and it originated in Greece. The Etruscans would have planted vines and Greek immigrants would have improved and modified the grape varieties who subsequently called this country "Oenotria": the country of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life and certain regions already stood out for the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible testimony to their invasion. Today Italy is the largest wine producer in the world, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic areas. The northern mountains experience a fairly harsh mountain climate. The “middle of the boot” plain is the domain of the continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the "southern part of the Italian boot" the Mediterranean climate reigns with very hot and very dry summers without forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In summary, Italy produces wines of great variety thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originate from their lands. It is a country just as complex as its wines which deserve to be explored!