2019 Radici e Filari 'La Giga' Arneis Langhe DOC

Variety: Arneis

Region: Langhe < Piemonte < Italy

Vineyard/cellar stats: Biodynamic farming; chalky marl soils; early harvest, fermented in stainless steel tanks then left to rest on the lees for 3 months before aging 5 months in stainless steel and 3 months in bottle; unfined/unfiltered with >30 ppm added So2; 12.5% ABV; 145 cases

Winemaker: Renato Buganza

Radici e Filari is a multi-generation estate located in the Langhe region of Piemonte, home of the great Nebbiolo grape.  But while Piemonte's fame is built on the legacy of this King of grapes, Nebbiolo isn't the only story in this northeastern region of Piemonte. Like the mystery grape partner in this blend, an ancient variety of Gamay. How did this random French grape end up in Italy?  The House of Savoy did it. This historic ruling house of Italy and France united a huge chunk of the western Alps,  where France, Italy and Switzerland now lie.  The French presence in Piemonte helped establish early vineyard and winemaking techniques.  Flash forward to the 1960s, when Radici e Filari started producing and bottling their own wines that are true to their terroir.  Preserving biodiversity has always been important to the family, so it makes sense that they gradually moved to completely biodynamic farming.  

Giga' after an ancient local dance tradition, is a pretty special wine, with crisp apple, pear and almond on a bone-dry, acid-forward palate.   Elegant and refreshing, this is a food wine extraordinaire that would make any Sauv Blanc lover very happy.