2021 Roccafiore Grechetto ‘Fiordaliso’

Region: Todi < Umbria < Italy

Grapes: Grechetto

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: organic farming, some biodynamic practices,
clay, limestone and chalk soil. Seven day maceration, partially whole
cluster, then aged 12 months in stainless steel. 20 year old vines;
11% ABV

Winemaker: Luca Baccarelli

A crisp, minerally white from Umbria that tastes like Spring in a glass!

Famous for big red wines, Umbria is not the Italian region we think of when it comes to crisp white wines. But Cantina Roccafiore, located in the Todi area of Umbria, butts up agains the Colli Martani (Martani hills), which funnels a cold wind through their vineyards in the afternoon, providing not only good ventilation but a vital cooling effect.  So the're still able to harvest in mid-October (which means lots of phenolic ripeness = flavor) and not a lot of alcohol.  Luca Baccarelli and his father are behind this super progressive, certified organic eco-estate, which comprises about 14 hectares in total. The family use their background in the energy business to apply many unconventional sustainability measures. For example, all of the energy for the winery is powered by solar panels, the tractors run on sunflower oil, they ship in light weight glass bottles to reduce energy consumption and save rainwater in a reservoir. All of this on top of organic viticulture, minimal and clean cellar work, and low SO2!

This wine embodies the very definition of poolside wine (or porch pounder, if you will), and SO overdelivers compared to others in this category. It offers the complete package – an elegant floral bouquet on the nose, with hints of citrus and struck flint, and an immediately satisfying palate. The fruit fluctuates between meyer lemon and unripe apricot, with bits of green apple thrown in. That floral component sticks with the wine through the minerally, salty finish, which is certifiably lip smacking. So easy drinking we usually find ourselves opening a second bottle in no time!