2018 Valentina Pasalaqua 'Sovrachiaro' Falanghina 1L

Region: Apricena < Puglia < Italy
Grapes: Falanghina
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified biodynamic farming; rocky marble soils with calcified seashells; fermented in stainless with no temperature control, and bottled unfined/unfiltered under crown cap with zero-added SO2; 10.5% ABV
Winemaker: Valentina Passlacqua 

Valentina Passalacqua is a trailblazing young natural winemaker in Puglia, a region not exactly known for biodynamic, no sulfur wines.  She took over her family’s land (used only for cattle grazing since 1900), located inside Gargano National Park, to create a diverse farm that includes indigenous grape varietals.  Her family considered the land too difficult, too poor, for crops, not realizing that they were actually sitting on a precious marble mine – or soil that happens to be amazing for vines.  The rocky, mineral-rich soil does not retain water (also great for vines), and proximity to the sea means cooling breezes and ventilation (another plus).  Valentina’s wines are pure, elegant, never soupy as you sometimes see in wines from Puglia (it’s hot there). Because, she is careful about canopy management (to ensure grapes don’t get cooked) and picks early to retain freshness and acidity.  This is her fun Puglian take on glou glou: liter bottles of liquid sunshine, that tastes like lemon kombucha with a salty kick.  With a crown cap, no added So2, biodynamic certification, an adorable label designed by Valentina’s young daughters, and 10.5% ABV – how can you not love this wine?  Yaaassss!