On the 29th September I had the pleasure of attending an Italian wine tasting at Morrish & Banham‘s shop in Bridport, Dorset. It was hosted by Illaria Zenaro of Fantini in Italy who are represented in the UK by Liberty Wines.
Fantini are unusual for an Italian producer in that the majority, 95%, of their wines are exported from Italy rather than for their domestic market.
The tasting was also unusual in that I found that all the wines were very memorable in their own ways and I would happily drink any of them again.
Here are my notes:
Whites:
- Zabu Grillo 2022, Vigneti Zabu, Sicily, Italy. 12.5%. Mineral, fresh, peach, grapefruit, long finish. £13.49.
- Beneventano Falanghina 2022, Vesevo, Campania, Italy. Intense mineral, concentrated ripe melon, good length. My favourite white of the evening. 12.5%. £15.99.
- Greco di Tufo 2022, Vesevo, Campania, Italy. 13%. Honey, almond, mineral. I think more for food than on own. £17.99.
- Pipoli Bianco Basilicata, Vignetti del Vulture, Basilicata, 13%. Fiano/Greco blend, Mineral, Riesling-like, fresh. £13.99.
Reds:
- Il Passo Verde Nero d’Avola 2022, Vigneti Zabu, Sicily, Italy. 13%. Satisfyingly, richer Nero d’Avola than expected. Fruity, balsamic, eucalyptus, 50% of grapes aged in oak. Excellent. £14.99.
- Beneventano Aglianico 2021, Vesevo, Campania, Italy. 13.5%. Oak, fruity, coffee, vanilla, high tannins. £14.99.
- Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2021, Gran Sasso, Abruzzo, Italy. 13.5%. Red berries, vanilla, plum. £13.99
- Edizione 21 “Cinque Autoctoni” 2019, Fantini, Abruzzo/Puglia, Italy. 14.5%. The wine for which Fantini are known. A complex fusion of five grapes. Cherry, blackcurrant, herbs and liquorice. Long finish. My favourite wine of the evening. £36.99.
We also learnt that the cleanliness of wine glasses is more important than the glass shape. Any detergent left in the glass will affect sparkling bubbles and the still or sparkling taste.
The wines, at the above prices, are available from Morrish & Banham in Dorchester and Bridport.
