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. 

Cool Down, Roman Style: Fill Your Wine Glass with Fontana Candida Frascati

Anita Ekberg frolics in the Trevi Fountain in the classic film La Dolce Vita.

Blame it on the heat - I keep daydreaming about cooling down with a daring plunge into Rome's legendary Trevi Fountain a la Anita Ekberg in Fellini's La Dolce Vita. Alas, I'm in New York but I can beat the heat Roman style with a refreshing glass of Frascati from Fontana Candida.

An ancient wine born in the Roman hills, Frascati is known as "the wine of popes and of the people." Popes had the luxury of drinking Frascati daily and regular folks would get to indulge on important Vatican occasions. Thankfully, we live in a more egalitarian time and Frascati is available to everyone, all the time! Founded in 1958, Fontana Candida is synonymous with Frascati and is Italy's leading producer of this storied wine. If you're not familiar with Frascati or Fontana Candida, here are four wonderful wines from their portfolio. Give them a swirl!


Fontana Candida Terre dei Grifi Frascati DOC 2013 ($10)
A lovely blend of Malvasia Bianca di Candia (50%), Trebbiano Toscano (30%), Greco (10%), and Malvasia del Lazio (10%); this crisp white wine has lively acidity and delicious flavors of lemon, pineapple, mango, pear, and almond. Light and refreshing but full of flavor, Terre dei Grifi has a delightful and subtle hint of creaminess at the finish.



Fontana Candida Luna Mater Frascati Superiore DOCG 2011 ($20)
A truly outstanding wine, Luna Mater wowed me with each sip. It is definitely one of my favorite wines of the summer! Golden like the Roman sun, this full-bodied and luscious Frascati envelops the palate in flavors of honey, pear, vanilla, and almond. A blend of Malvasia Bianca di Candia (50%), Malvasia del Lazio (30%), Bombino (10%), and Greco (10%); Luna Mater spends just enough time in oak to enhance the wine's flavor and imbue complexity. Luna Mater is an elegant and dry white wine with enough structure to pair with seafood, pasta, and roasted chicken & pork. 


In addition to Frascati, Fontana Candida also produces the Roma DOC blend in both white and red. Dry and crisp Roma DOC Bianco ($10) is an aromatic and fruity blend of Greco, Bombino, and Malvasia del Lazio. A great sip on a hot day!



Fontana Candida Roma DOC Rosso ($10) is a light, dry, and fruity blend of Cesanese, Syrah, and Montepulciano. Smooth tannins and pretty flavors of cherry & red berries make this a great warm-weather red. Pair this vino with everything from pasta and pizza to BBQ and burgers!