Winemaker Notes
Straw yellow that contains brilliant green reflections. Floral notes, like white blossoms, and delicate apple and pear. Medium intensity, crisp minerality, with hints of spice, light almond and a slightly bitter orange peel character. The pretty floral notes and soft fruit flavors are fresh through the finish in perfect balance with the mouthwatering acidity.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Candied lemon, lilies and a bit of ginger, which adds a layer of complexity. Medium-bodied with a nice, silky texture.
Thriving throughout Campania, Falanghina grows widely throughout the region and plays a key role in many regional blends. Along the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, the local grapes, Verdeca, Coda di Volpe and Greco take well to its addition. On the Amalfi Coast, it is added to Biancolella as well as Greco. Around Avellino, it can be made into single varietal versions. Somm Secret—Thought to be an ancient transplant from Greece, the grape takes its name from the Greek word, phalanga, meaning stake or pole, in reference to the Greek method of training vines to single stakes.
A winemaking renaissance is underfoot in Campania as more and more small, artisan and family-run wineries redefine their style with vineyard improvements and cellar upgrades. The region boasts a cool Mediterranean climate with extreme coastal, as well as high elevation mountain terroirs. It is cooler than one might expect in Campania; the region usually sees some of the last harvest dates in Italy.
Just south of Mount Vesuvio, the volcanic and sandy soils create aromatic and fresh reds based on Piedirosso and whites, made from Coda di Volpe and Falanghina. Both reds and whites go by the name, Lacryma Christi, meaning the "tears of Christ." South of Mount Vesuvio, along the Amalfi Coast, the white varieties of Falanghina and Biancolella make fresh, flirty, mineral-driven whites, and the red Piedirosso and Sciasinoso vines, which cling to steeply terraced coastlines, make snappy and ripe red wines.
Farther inland, as hills become mountains, the limestone soil of Irpinia supports the whites Fiano di Avellino, Falanghina and Greco di Tufo as well as the most-respected red of the south, Aglianico. Here the best and most age-worthy examples come from Taurasi.
Farther north and inland near the city of Benevento, the Taburno region also produces Aglianico of note—called Aglianico del Taburno—on alluvial soils. While not boasting the same heft as Taurasi, these are also reliable components of any cellar.