
Ep. 1762 Marco Gandini Narrates Pt. 53 | Italian Wine Unplugged 2.0
Italian Wine Unplugged 2.0
Episode Summary
Content Analysis Key Themes and Main Ideas 1. Promotion of the Italian Wine Podcast, its associated publications, and events. 2. Detailed profiles of three prominent Italian white grape varieties: Erbaluce, Falanghina, and Fiano. 3. Historical context, origins, and specific growing conditions for each grape. 4. Morphological characteristics, viticultural challenges, and optimal terroirs for each grape. 5. Sensory profiles, specific wine styles (still, sparkling, sweet), and aging potential. 6. Food pairing recommendations for each wine style. 7. Associated DOC/DOCG regions and benchmark producers for each grape. Summary This segment of the Italian Wine Podcast begins by promoting the podcast itself, encouraging listener support, and introducing a new series based on ""Italian Wine Unplugged 2.0."" The core of the episode then delves into in-depth profiles of three significant Italian white grape varieties. It starts with Erbaluce, detailing its ancient origins in Northern Piedmont, its challenging viticulture (due to hail and frost sensitivity), the specific *topia* training system, and its optimal terroir in Caluso. It describes Erbaluce's different expressions, from crisp still and sparkling wines with green apple and mineral notes to deeply golden passito wines with dried fruit and honey characteristics. Next, the segment covers Falanghina, a widely grown white grape in Campania. It highlights its ancient roots and near extinction due to phylloxera, as well as the discovery of two distinct genetic cultivars: Falanghina Flegrea (lighter, more floral) and Falanghina Beneventana (stronger structure, higher alcohol). The discussion includes its adaptability to various volcanic and limestone soils, its crisp acidity, and its excellent pairing with seafood. Finally, the segment explores Fiano, a noble grape from Campania, noted for its historical significance and its hard skin which makes it resistant to botrytis. It details Fiano's sensitivity to vineyard orientation, its optimal clay-heavy soils, and its sensory profile of white blossoms, pear, and hazelnut. The podcast emphasizes Fiano's versatility, producing a range of styles from light to full-bodied, dry to sweet, and its remarkable aging potential, developing smoky and flinty notes. The segment concludes with further podcast promotions. Takeaways * The Italian Wine Podcast serves as a resource for wine enthusiasts, offering books and special series. * Erbaluce is a unique and challenging grape from Northern Piedmont, capable of producing excellent still, sparkling, and air-dried passito wines. * Falanghina, a key grape of Campania, exists in two genetically distinct types (Flegrea and Beneventana), each offering different aromatic and structural profiles. * Fiano is a highly versatile and age-worthy white grape from Campania, known for its complexity, resistance to botrytis, and ability to develop savory notes over time. * Italian native grape varieties often have rich histories, including recovery from near extinction (e.g., Falanghina, Fiano after phylloxera). * Specific viticultural practices (e.g., *topia*) and unique terroirs are crucial for coaxing the best from certain grape varieties. * These Italian white wines offer a wide range of styles and are highly complementary with various cuisines, particularly seafood. Notable Quotes * ""According to local legend, the Albaalooche fairy gave this grape to the inhabitants of the town of Caluzo as a gift..."" (Describing Erbaluce's origin) * ""Falangina... it is currently the most widely grown white grape in Campania."" (Highlighting Falanghina's prominence) * ""Modern DNA research indicates that there are two genetically distinct cultivars. Falangina, flegreya, and falaangina, Benaventana."" (Key discovery about Falanghina) * ""Fiano... is widely considered to be one of Italy's best."" (Emphasizing Fiano's esteemed status) * ""Bottle aging develops complexity and the intensity of smoky, toasty, and flinty notes."" (Describing Fiano's aging potential) Related Topics or Follow-up Questions 1. How do the specific volcanic soils mentioned (e.g., Campi Flegrei, Vesuvius) influence the taste profile of Falanghina wines compared to limestone soils? 2. What are some other notable Italian white grape varieties that were also brought back from near extinction after phylloxera? 3. Can you elaborate on the *topia* canopy training system for Erbaluce and its unique benefits in Northern Piedmont? 4. Beyond the mentioned benchmark producers, which emerging or traditional wineries are creating exceptional examples of Erbaluce, Falanghina, and Fiano? 5. How do different aging vessels (e.g., steel, oak) impact the development of complexity in Fiano wines?
About This Episode
The Italian wine podcast is a community-driven platform for Italian winegeeks around the world. The hosts offer free copies of their latest book and a new series on Italian wine Unplugged 2.0, while also discussing the potential connection between Northern Piedmont's wine culture and Latin Alba whites and SEL lights. The Comp lacking wine in Italy is described as richer and ideal for the most beautiful white wine, with a more continental climate and a positive effect on the wine quality. The wine is also a popular fruit in the glass and a popular fruit in the fruit in the glass, with a more continental climate and a more beautiful fruit.
Transcript
The Italian wine podcast is the community driven platform for Italian winegeeks around the world. Support the show by donating at italian wine podcast dot com. Donate five or more Euros, and we'll send you a copy of our latest book, my Italian Great Geek journal. Absolutely free. To get your free copy of my Italian GreatGeek journal, click support us at italian wine podcast dot com, or wherever you get your pots. For all the super wine geeks out there, we have a special new series dedicated to you. We are reading excerpts from our new addition of Italian wine Unplugged two point o. Wine lovers tune in for your weekly fix. Only on Italian wine podcast. If you want to own a copy of this new must read Italian wine textbook, just go to Amazon dot com or visit us at mama jumbo shrimp dot com. Arbalooche. Description found in Northern Piedmont with its first historical records dating from the seventeenth century. According to local legend, the Albaalooche fairy gave this grape to the inhabitants of the town of Caluzo as a gift, while another origin is related to the lighter color of the berries and wine. Coincidentally, there could be a connection to Latin Alba whites and luce lights. The name Alvaluce then evolved over time to the name Erbalice. Additionally, the morphological properties of this culture are also referred to buy another local lane, Biancera and or Erbanucibianca, also referencing an Italian word for lights. End of vineyard, not an easy grape to grow nor work with in the vineyard. Northern Piedmont's weather has many threats, including hail and frost. As the grape tends to bud very easily, It is necessary to protect the bunches from hailstorms. A specific canopy training system, topia, also limits the effect of sunlight, which also requires the additional involvement of the producer. Ebanucci its best results in the canaluzo appalachian. This specific terrar with sandy gravel soils that are poor in nutrients yet reach in phosphates and potassium has become an ideal habitat for this grape variety. In the glass, expression differs depending on the wine style. Sparkling has a pale straw color While in the more common still dry version, it is yellow to pay lemon with green tinges. Aromas include green apple, grass, gooseberry, peach, and white flowers. On the palate due to the refreshing acidity wines are very crisp, fresh and well balanced with minerality. In the proceed of style, mainly produced from the air dried grapes, Wines are deep golden color with typical notes of apricots, dried and ripe, Acacia honey, dried fix, ripe peaches, saffron and almonds. Specific styles, Due to the thick skin and naturally high acidity, it has a great potential to produce not only still try wines but also excellent sparkling made by both methods Charmon, Martinotti, and Mato deolasico. The well known passero is created by the air drying process. At the table, higher acidity is complimentary with fish, and seafood such as spaghetti, but also with Asian cuisine, including Thai. The potato version pairs well with gorgonzola cheese pastry tarts, cheesecakes, and lemon custard associated regions and DOPs, Piedmont docG, Ervalucia de canusa, Piedmont doc mostly planted in the northern part of Piedmont near the towns of Caluso. Benchmark producers, Orsolani Ferrando La Masera. Description one of the oldest grapes in Compania its name derives from the traditional wine support that resemble a phalanx, a formation of the ancient Greek and Macedonian soldiers. Coming back to America, Van Italy International Academy, the ultimate Italian wine quality will be held in New York City from four to six March twenty twenty four. Have you got what it takes to become the next Italian wine ambassador? Find out at ben Italy dot com. Using the famous ancient wine falernum. By the twentieth century, the cultivar had almost disappeared due to phylloxera. However, from the nineteen seventies, plantings began to grow steadily, and it is currently the most widely grown white grape in Campania. Modern DNA research indicates that there are two genetically distinct cultivars. Falangina, flegreya, and falaangina, Benaventana. The former found mainly in the Valerno del Masico and Campiflegre, DOCs, produces lighter, more intense notes on the nose, and more floral wines. Benaventana, mainly found in the province of Benavento, offers wines with a stronger structure and higher alcohol. Most producers grow both types of Valentina for blending indoor wines and a vineyard has the ability to adapt to various soil conditions and offers great results both on soils of volcanic origin, like the volcanic tuff of Campli Frigre and Taburno, or the volcanic rock around Vasuvius. And a morally sand stone and morally limestone soils of Sanio and Irpina tolerates the cool sea breeze and it grows in both the hills and flat areas close to the shore. Dimile Mediterranean climate extends the maturation period and has a positive effect on the wine quality. In land, Compania boasts a more continental climate with large deodorant temperatures and colder winters. Both offer fresh higher acidity wines. In the glass, both falanginos are lemon yellow in color while the aromas and flavor profiles are different. On the nose, Figreya has white flowers, fresh herbal notes of menthol, mints, and sage, and green apple. Benaventana is more yellow in its character, yellow flowers, and yellow apples, banana, peach and apricot on the nose. The whole mark of both Valentinas is crisp acidity. Specific styles still dry. The natural acidity of this grade also makes it suitable for the production of sparkling and sweet wines. At the table, considered one of the best white Italian wines for seafood. Great pairing with scallops, prawns, and clamps, especially if seasoned with lemon, garlic, and parsley. Associated regions and DOPs. Can be for gray, capri, falaquina del Saniano, San Antonio, Penisola, Argentina San Diego. Appulia DOC, San severo, Mollise, DOC, Mollise, Pentro Dizzerne. Benchmark producers, Dimeo, Factoril Arivolta, Mostile, Vilda Matilda, Fiano, description found in Compania. It is a noble grape, that is widely considered to be one of Italy's best. The origin of this controversy can be found in the vicinity of Lapio in Epinia. As one of the oldest on the Apennine peninsula, It has been referenced in documents since the twelfth century. However, Phylloxera and two world wars almost made this rape extinct. After the second world war, its fortunes were revived thanks to the efforts of Antonio mastroberadino. In the vineyard, fiano, as with the most grape grapes variety, is sensitive to the orientation of a vineyard, and can vary greatly depending on its situation. Vulcan soils are ideal. Lapio, which is regarded as its home, is characterized by clay heavy soils. An important feature of the grapes berries is its hard skin, which makes it resistant to botrytis. This is especially important in the continental climate of companies in land, considering that the fruit ripens lates with harvesting in September and October. Conversely, it is sensitive to oedium and peronospora. In the glass, Pay lemon yellow in color with a green tinge. Aromas of flavors of wide blossoms, Linden, Jasmine, and Acacia, pear, green apple, and hazelnut. With time, it can express notes of beeswax and Acacia honey becoming creamier and oily on the palate. Bottle aging develops complexity and the intensity of smoky, toasty, and flinty notes. Specific styles, dry, still. However, it is also available in a wide range of different styles from light to full bodied, dry to sweet, as well as from simple everyday wines to more complex ones capable of maturing in the bottle for up to ten years. Sweeter versions can be produced by both methods, air dried and laid harvests. At the table, very versatile goes well with bold slightly acidic tomato based and spicier dishes. Because it becomes complex and smooth over time, it can complement heavier dishes based on chicken, veal, and even pork. However, any sauce serve with these dishes should not be overly citrusy associated regions and DOPs. Appulia, GOC, Brindisi, Laverano, Locorontundo, Salicio Salentino, Siceli, GOC, condesa in Delina, Sicilia, cruise side at La Pio, a small town in the Aveline zone. Benchmark producers, Quinto Deschimo, Vila Yamante, Vilaiano, feldi de san gregorio. Listen to the Italian wine pot podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. We're on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, email ifm, and more. Don't forget to subscribe and rate the show. If you enjoy listening, please consider donating through italian wine podcast dot com. Any amount helps cover equipment, production, and publication costs. Until next time. Chichi.
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