20CENT Style Masso Antico Fiano Appassito
In this new episode of 20/CENT Style, as promised, I come to tell you about a white wine from the Masso Antico range, the Fiano Appassito. So as a reminder, I'm putting the small description of the range (in case you are too lazy to click on the last episode of 20/CENT Style, or if your memory is too short).
Coming from the South of Italy
Masso Antico is a range of southern Italian wines produced in the provinces of Puglia and Abruzzo. The name is derived from the name of an ancient farmhouse or "Masseria" built on the very first vineyards in Puglia.
Part of the vineyards are located in the region of Puglia, in the "boot" of Italy, in a relatively flat area. In this region the vineyards benefit from a cooling of the air coming from the sea which allows to maintain not too high temperatures in very hot weather. Puglia is known to produce high quality wines from mainly native grape varieties. The vines are cultivated using the "Alberello" method, a method that compensates for the lack of water and the very hot climate. This is an ancestral method which is part of the cultural and oenological heritage of Puglia.
The other vineyards of Masso Antico are located in Abruzzo. Compared to Puglia, this region is located closer to the centre of Italy, on the eastern coast along the Adriatic Sea. This more mountainous region benefits from a Mediterranean climate as well. Wines with intense fruit aromas and a complex aromatic structure are produced here.
The wines of Masso Antico are produced by Schenk Italia (the Italian subsidiary of the Schenk Group) founded in 1952.
Masso Antico Fiano Appassito
The wine is made from 100% Fiano grape variety. I learned that the grapes are harvested by hand and transported in small crates. Once they arrive at the winery, part of the harvest goes through a drying process under controlled temperature and hygrometry. Thanks to this process, the grapes lose some of their weight, which refines the sugar content and the aromas. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks to obtain a bit of complexity and structure. The wine then matures for 3 months in oak barrels.
So sincerely, the red Il Potere is very good, but I have a preference for the white in this range. (But to be honest, I must admit that I have always had a weakness for Italian white wines). And this Fiano Appassito is very pleasant. Its colour is pale yellow, it offers elegant aromas of fruit and almond, lemon and even light tropical fruit flavours. As an aperitif, with a salad or a light starter, this Fiano Appassito will be a very good companion.
This wine will be available at Carrefour for the end of 2020 at 6.99€ (recommended retail price).
VinWineSchenk20cent StyleMasso Antico