Discovering White Tuscan Wine
White Tuscan Wine – Discover “The Other Tuscany” (L’Altra Toscana):
Italy thrives on its reputation for its long-lived, delicious red wines. But what of its white wines, produced in some of the more celebrated red wine regions?
Gabriele Gorelli MW, Italy’s first Master of Wine, delivered an engaging, highly educational presentation at the 2023 Anteprima L’Altra Toscana held in Florence, Italy on February 17, 2023.
White Wines Within Tuscany
The presentation commenced with a brief introduction explaining that the wines in the presentation are best enjoyed at room temperature, the same as red wine. The wines listed below are mostly all well under $20 per bottle.
Tasting White Tuscan Wines
1. La Fralluca, Toscana IGT Vermentino Filemone 2019 (Vermentino)
Vermentino is a grape variety produced almost everywhere in the world, especially now in this time of climate change as it does not need much water.
Mr. Gorelli introduced this a bright, easy-drinking wine made with commercial yeast and matured in stainless steel. It is produced in Suvereto, a region between the Tuscan coast and the Upper Maremma.
The wine has extra freshness with a sparkle of some residual C02 on the rim, which Mr. Gorelli says makes it “joyful” to drink.
2. Bulichella, Toscana IGT Vermentino Tuscanio 2020 (Vermentino)
This Vermentino wine is much richer and more complex than the first, marked by tropical fruit (papaya, mango). Curiously, this wine was also produced in stainless steel, but the fruit was picked riper. The terroir also is slightly different, with faint aromas of wet seashells.
3. Tenuta Belguardo, Maremma Toscana DOC Vermentino Codice V 2019 (Vermentino)
This Vermentino is from Consortia Maremma, and terroir that includes a mixture of soil (mostly sand and sandstone) and vineyards planted at various altitudes.
One-fifth of the grapes reside with their skins in amphora for nine months.
The result is a golden color, and perception of sweetness on the nose with lively pyrazines.
4. Alberto Motta, Maremma Toscana DOC Ansonica 2021 Ansonica Motta (Ansonica)
Ansonica is a unique grape variety in Tuscany, with aromas of almond. The grapes in this wine came from older vines on higher altitudes picked early to preserve freshness.
The Tasting Continues
5. Tenuta Montauto, Maremma Toscana DOC Sauvignon Enos I 2019 (Sauvignon Blanc)
This aromatic wine comes from vineyards more than 40 years old. Many aromas consistent with the New Zealand style (grapefruit, gooseberry)
Explosion of flavors on the nose and palate.
6. Capezzana, Toscana IGT Bianco Trebbiano 2021 (Trebbiano Toscano).
This Trebbiano wine improves with age. It was fermented in oak and aged in barrique.
7. Olivi – Le Buche, Orcia DOC Bianco Coreno 2020 (Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia Bianca)
This wine is made from 80 % Trebbiano and 20% Malvasia
Malvasia gives it a more expansive character with more chalk and vanilla in the nose and on the palate. This wine is fermented in oak and a delicious match for a variety of styles of cuisine.
8. Petrolo, Toscana IGT Bòggina B 2020 (Trebbiano Toscano from the Orcia DOC)
This last wine is made up of 100% Trebbiano Toscana, rich and vibrant, expressive in flavor.
Mr. Gabriele succeeded as a very talented presenter, able to educate his audience of professional wine writers and offer key points about what made the wines chosen, producers, and their respective regions so special.
