LE COSTE
Bianchetto 2021
Lazio, Italy
From volcanic soils in Montefiascone and a young vineyard planted over tufo just across the Tuscan border in Pitigliano, this is a blend of Procanico, Malvasia di Candia, Moscato and other local varieties. It spent two weeks on skins, with both fermentation and five months of ageing taking place in vat. This is incredibly fresh and zesty, with lifted notes of orange, minerals and Mediterranean herbs. Featherweight on the palate with just the faintest of hint of tannin, it is as invigorating as wine gets.
Procanico, Malvasia, Moscato
ABOUT THE PRODUCER
Gianmarco Antonuzzi and Clémentine Bouveron tend around 14 hectares of land, with vineyards amongst olive groves, chestnut trees, shrubs and oaks. Sat around Lago di Bolsena near Gianmarco’s childhood town of Gradoli in Lazio’s north, the soils are volcanic, rich in iron and minerals.
Vines are planted at a density of up to 10,000 plants per hectare, from a mix of massale selections and ungrafted vines. Everything is done by hand, with careful attention to the needs of each plant and while biodynamic principles are employed, the approach here goes above and beyond.
Each year they produce a dizzying number of different wines which are vinified in an ancient cellar in the village’s centre where nothing is added at any stage. To taste here is a real treat, Gianmarco is a master of élevage and a real patience in this respect results in some of the purest, most delicious wines we have tried. This is a fascinating project, where the passion and dedication of two people is single handedly putting one of Italy’s lesser known villages firmly on the map.