2016 Il Tufiello 'MonteMattina' Fiano

Fiano from Campania, Italy
The wines of Il Tufiello are always an adventure. We sometimes feel like we have to be in a specific headspace to enjoy these wines because you can’t just carelessly sip away. They require thought, the perfect music, the perfect company and sometimes the perfect meal. We're not saying you need to check all these boxes, but probably a few. First thing to note on this wine is the vintage, she's got some age. This is the case with all of the wines from Il Tufiello and this is the current release from the winery. Il Tufielo is located on a historic cereal farm in Upper Irpinia near Avellino with a small 8.5 acre vineyard dedicated to the local Fiano grape. 30 years ago the family decided to convert their land to organics, and were some of the first in Southern Italy to take the leap. They believed it was an integral part of the end product, especially because the soils in this area are considered ‘poor’ due to their lack of nutrients. At the helm of this operation are Igiea and Guido Zampaglione with the help of Guido's father Michele. Fiano is plated all over Southern Italy and you’ll find it in Campania, Puglia and a bit in Sicily. It's an aromatic white variety of historical significance with mentions back as far as the Roman empire. It produces really textural, almost waxy or soft wines that can have a salty edge and intense minerality to balance. It’s reminiscent of Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc for us. If you’re drinking table wines in Amalfi odds are local grapes like Fiano, Greco or Falanghina are in your glass. ‘MonteMattina’ will bless you with all of the flavors mentioned above; however, age will take you on a whole other journey. The grapes are hand harvested and spend 60 days on the skins then the wine is pressed into cement tanks for 2 years then bottled and sits for at least one year in bottle. At this point it is up to the winery to release the vintages they deem ready to drink and they do jump around a bit. The age highlights the savory side of this grape which is reminiscent of candied ginger, chamomile tea and dried stonefruit.. Share it with friends who are willing to take a deep dive into this thought provoking wine with you.
Pairing Recommendations: We think what grows together goes together with a wine like this, so when in Campania you should most definitely take advantage of seafood.. Simple preparations with green herbs, olive oil and sea salt as well as pasta dishes with shellfish and tomato or even pasta with heartier sauces from the north like Agnolotti del Plin. Take a bite out of a slice of crispy porchetta and/or Grilled Eggplant with green olives and a little spice.