2018 Castello di Luzzano TASTO DI SETA Malvasia Colli Piacentini DOC

Region: Colli Piacentini < Emilia Romagna < Italy

Grapes: Malvasia di Candia Aromatica

Winemaker: Giovanella Fugazza

Castello di Luzzano is an actual castle that straddles the border
between Emilia and Lombardia, an off-the-radar (at least to Americans)
area known for its wines that are mostly guzzled down by Northern
Italians.  Like literally straddling the border, a foot in each camp,
with one vineyard in the Colli Piacentini DOC and the other in the
Oltrepo Pavese DOC.  The property has been in the family of Maria
Giulia and her sister, Giovanella Fugazza for a century, and perhaps
longer -- documents citing the excellent wines of Luzzano have been
found dating as far as the 12th century.  And archaeologists have
found evidence that wine was made extensively in this part of the
region to supply the thirsty Roman Empire.  Today, Giovanella runs the
show, though she's a lawyer by trade.  We had the pleasure of visiting
Giovanella at her 16th century estate a few years ago, and have been
huge fans of her wines that speak so clearly of this place.

Malvasia is the most important white grape in the Colli Piacentini
region, where they make it fizzy or still.  The Tasto di Seta here
(translation: touch of silk) is a still version, with a silky,  soft
texture that Giovanella attributes to the unique soil here.  True to
the grape's character, the nose is intensely aromatic, full of
flowers, ripe peaches and candied fruit, but the palate is bone dry
and seductive.  It tastes like an exotic infusion of lychee, peach and
honeysuckle sprinkled with lime zest. with bracing acidity refreshing
the palate and drawing you in for another sip.  Super refreshing wine
to serve ice cold on a hot day.