LE COSTE
Bianco 2020
Lazio, Italy
Mostly Procanico with the balance being made up of Malvasia, Roscetto, Pedino, Vermentino, Romanesco and Ansonica from vineyards young and old. A fresher vintage provided more delicate grapes, which were destemmed and macerated for ten days, before being pressed off to old casks for a year of élevage. A gorgeous, pale shade of amber in the glass, this draws you in with gentle notes of citrus zest and minerals, whilst the palate is wonderfully fluid, with just a hint of tannin and great freshness.
Procanico, Malvasia, Roscetto, Pedino, Vermentino, Romanesco, Ansonica
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.