Toscana Wine - En

 Greco di Tufo is an Italian white grape variety and DOCG region. The grape is most revered in the eponymous Greco di Tufo Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG), one of four DOCG areas located in Campania. The Campania region boasts more DOCG zones than any other southern Italian region, and Greco di Tufo is considered one of the best white wine appellations of the region, alongside Fiano di Avellino DOCG.

Greco di Tufo is a clone of Greco Bianco. It ripens late, enjoying the Mediterranean climate and long, warm growing season of Southern Italy.

Greco di Tufo is named after the tiny town of Tufo in Avellino, Campania. The name Tufo is derived from “tuff;” the soft, volcanic rock that makes up the subsoil of the region. This distinctive soil is thought to impart a particular minerality to the wine flavor profile.

Greco di Tufo wines tend to show a dark lemon or gold color, darker than many white wines. Though not overly aromatic, Greco di Tufo wines are known to show characteristics of spice, herb and citrus. On the palate, the wines are medium- to full-bodied and relatively high in acidity.

Flavors will range from citrus, white fruit and stone fruit, and top examples will have a distinctive mineral character. Poor examples can be overly bitter or tart, though quality producers will strive for balance and ensure that this aspect is not overpowering. The wines drink well when young, though quality examples are capable of aging. Over time, mature Greco di Tufo will develop more herbal flavors.

DOCG regulations stipulate that Greco di Tufo must be made with at least 85% of the Greco grape, with up to 15% of other approved varieties allowed in the blend. Most often, the other variety used is Coda di Volpe, another Campanian variety.

Outside of Campania, the Greco bianco grape can be found in Puglia, Lazio and Tuscany. Greco di Tufo should not be confused with Greco di Bianco DOC, a distinct Calabrian appellation for sweet wines produced from partially dried grapes. The term Greco Nero, used to refer to at least five distinct Calabrian red grape varieties, is also unrelated.

For a far-reaching database of the best Greco wines and related articles, use our Buying Guide database below! At Wine Enthusiast Magazine, we make it easy to find information that helps improve both wine collection and tasting experience.

APPELLATION

Friuli Aquileia DOC

AREA

Cervignano del Friuli (North Eastern Italy)

GRAPES

Chardonnay

ALCOHOL LEVEL

12,5% vol.

BOTTLE SIZE

750 ml

VINIFICATION AND AGEING

The grapes undergo a gentle crushing and a delicate pressing. The must ferments at a controlled temperature of around 18°C. (64°F.), in order to preserve the wine’s fruitiness and all of its organoleptic complexity.

COLOUR

Vivid straw-yellow color enlivened by luminous reflections.

BOUQUET

Intense and extremely fresh, with notes of elderflower, banana and Golden Delicious apples.

FLAVOUR

Delicately dry with fi ne balance and enchanting harmony. Its acidity is excellent and emphasizes the wine’s freshness.

SERVING TEMPERATURE

Serve at 10° - 12° C. (50° - 54° F.).

FOOD MATCHES

A highly versatile wine: as a light and pleasant aperitif, it combines in fi ne style with appetizers, throughout a meal it accompanies every delicate first-course dish and preparations of fish, vegetables and white meats.

APPELLATION AREA

Sicilia DOC

PRODUCTION AREA

Butera, central-southern Sicily

GRAPES

100% Chardonnay

SERVING TEMPERATURE

10° - 12° C

VINIFICATION AND AGEING

The must begins fermentation in stainless steel at a controlled temperature of 20°C. Subsequently it is racked into 350-litre medium-toasted tonneaux, where the fermentation process continues for another 20 days. A long maturation on the lees is followed by bottle aging for several months.

TASTING NOTES

colour: intense, golden straw colour, bright with greenish transparencies.

bouquet: ample bouquet, with hints of pineapple, mango and ripe fruit, accompanied by sweet notes of vanilla.

flavour: rich, harmonious with an elegant touch of toasted almonds, well balanced with fruity notes.

FOOD PAIRINGS

Excellent as an aperitif, with fish dishes or white meats.

 Variety Sauvignon Blanc is grown on gravelly terrain of the vineyard, on the micro-location of Tuzi, in the coastal area of Lake Skadar. This variety achieves excellent results in the Podgorica subregion, and gives very refreshing, aromatic white wine, with marked minerality. This intense minerality testifies of its specific terroir. The wine has straw yellow color with greenish hues. On taste, it reminds of green pepper and elderflowers with notes of spicy herbs. Wine is balanced, full-bodied, nicely rounded and very refreshing. It has mineral and citrus tones in the aftertaste.

Serving

Temperature: 9–11 °C

Glass:

Pairing with food

Salads, fish, seafood especially crabs, pasta and risotto with aromatic herbs, grilled vegetables, chicken and turkey meat with spicy sauces, all types of goat cheese.

Technical characteristic

Harvest

Due to extremely high temperatures and low precipitation during the ripening process, unusual even for Ćemovsko polje, the technological maturity of grapes was accelerated. Because of climate conditions, mild dehydration of grapes happened, especially to those with thinner epidermis/skin. Grape dehydration came after the full phase of phenolic ripeness occurred. This led to a high concentration of the chemical composition of berries, therefore, the quality of grapes increased and we had one of the best vintages.