When I’m not thinking about booze, my mind tends to meander onto cycling and as the Giro d’italia (cycling’s Tour of Italy) enters it’s second week I thought it might be fun to focus on something Italian. As I write this, the Giro has just past though Campania, home to one of my all time favourite white wines, Vesevo Falanghina. It’s likely that I’ve written about this wine in the past but this only emphasizes my passion for it and the need I have to get the message across for everyone to at least try a bottle. The vineyards are situated between 450-550 metres above sea level and benefit from a cool breeze that blows off the Bay of Naples. This same breeze has, over the centuries, blown volcanic ash from Vesuvius inland, giving the soil here a volcanic character rich in minerals and trace elements. This lends a great depth of flavour to the grapes. Low temperature fermentation has retained the fresh, crisp and aromatic quality of the wine whilst still allowing its character to shine through. Perfumes of white flowers and white melon with mineral notes provide a backdrop to the full, ripe palate, and lift the finish. An elegant wine, with a lingering touch of honey.
http://oldlockett.making.me.uk/shop/vesevo-falanghina/
