Wine With Wanda

From Piedmont to Sicily: Five More Fabulous Italian White Wines That Aren't Pinot Grigio

My recent article, Five Fabulous Italian White Wines That Aren't Pinot Grigio, had such a great response, I'm back with a second round. Take your palate on an Italian adventure and sip your way out of a Pinot Grigio rut with one of these stellar white wines. 

Banfi "Principessa Gavia" Gavi 2016 DOCG ($17)
Region: Piemonte
Grape: Cortese
Who can resist a beautiful wine inspired by a romantic Italian legend? Once upon a time Princess Gavia followed her heart and eloped with a guard in her father's court. The King was not too thrilled with his darling daughter marrying a commoner but eventually all was forgiven. In Gavia's honor, the king named the town of Gavi and its wonderful white wine after his romantically rebellious daughter. I think Principessa Gavia would be absolutely impressed by the lovely wine Banfi has named after her. Elegant, dry, and crisp with vivacious green apple and citrus flavors, this delicious expression of Gavi has zesty acidity and a finish that lingers like a long lace train on a royal wedding dress. 

Fontana Candida Frascati DOC 2015 ($12.95)
Region: Lazio
Grapes: Malvasia Bianca di Candia, Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia del Lazio
Born in the Roman hills, Frascati is an ancient wine that was known as "the wine of popes and of the people." It may no longer flow from the fountains of Rome, as it was reported during 17th century Papal elections, but bottles of Frascati certainly flow freely in Roman restaurants. Refreshing and zesty, this dry Frascati from renowned producer Fontana Candida is a great expression of this quintessentially Roman wine. Flavors of peach and almonds are balanced by great acidity and texture.


 Alta Mora Etna Bianco DOC 2015 ($24.99)
Region: Sicily
Grape: Carricante
What could be hotter than a white wine produced from grapes grown on the slopes of an active volcano? The Cusumano family grows the indigenous Carricante grape in the volcanic souls of Mt. Etna to produce their Etna Bianco. A sultry white wine with pronounced minerality and herbal flavors, Alta Mora Etna Bianco is a sophisticated sip that reveals more and more character as it opens in the glass. 

 Puiatti Vuj Friulano 2016 ($20.99)
Region: Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Grape: Friulano 
Renowned for their pristine white wines that never spend time in oak, a sip of Puiatti rocks your palate with the full essence of the grape. Vuj (which means eye) captures the charms of Friulano, an exceptionally flavorful and aromatic white grape that thrives in Italy's northeastern Friuli region. Quite savory with mellow hints of herbs and a lingering finish, Vuj has plenty of personality that keeps you coming back for another sip.

Feudi di San Gregorio Fiano di Avellino DOCG 2015 ($24.99)
Campania
Grape: Fiano
Yummy isn't a technical term but this luscious wine from the Campania region in the south of Italy proves that yumminess and elegance aren't mutually exclusive. Absolutely exuberant with pretty flavors of peach and chamomile, this stellar Fiano has impressive balance and lip-smacking minerality. 

An Ancient Grape for Modern Tastes: Donnachiara Fiano di Avellino

Ilaria Petitto, Managing Director, Donnachiara Concept Winery 

If you love elegant white wines with plenty of flavor, nuance, personality, and aging potential; give Fiano di Avellino a swirl! An ancient grape with roots in the Campania region in the south of Italy, Fiano was known as the grape of the bees because they find its sweetness too alluring to resist. After a lovely tasting of Donnachiara Fiano di Avellino at Il Gattopardo restaurant in NYC, I can attest that wine lovers will also find it irresistible!

Winery owner and managing director Ilaria Petitto is the granddaughter of the Donna Chiara that inspired the name of this family enterprise. Located in Montefalcione, an ancient village in Avellino province, the modern cellar at Donnachiara was completed in 2005 but the vineyards have been in the family for 150 years. 


Ilaria describes Fiano di Avellino as "aristocratic and elegant" and a "secret wine" that many people don't know about. If you want in on the secret, Donnachiara Fiano di Avellino DOCG 2015 (around $18) is a fantastic introduction. Very aromatic with a beguiling floral scent, this dry white wine refreshes the palate with crisp fruit flavors and a hint of minerality. Fiano di Avellino also belongs to that special club of white wines that age beautifully and I found that the older vintages revealed amazing layers of flavor - tropical fruits, honey, and almonds; while maintaining great acidity and freshness. Bottles of the 2013 are still available and I highly recommend purchasing one so that you can see how beautifully Fiano di Avellino evolves in just a couple of years. If you're lucky enough to have a friend with a bottle of 2007 Donnachiara Fiano di Avellino, be extra nice so that they share it with you. The 2007 is extraordinary - luscious, rich, and graceful. Cheers! 

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