Details
Winemaker’s Notes~
This Sutter Island favorite hangs on the vine until it reaches a golden-yellow hue with light honeysuckle and melon flavors, until the grape is crushed and co-fermented with a small percentage of Viognier. The co-mingling of the two varietals leads to heightened pear, honeydew and sweet pink grapefruit characteristics without overpowering any one flavor. Once Fiano has completed primary fermentation the wine is held in stainless steel vessels and malolactic fermentation is discouraged to keep more of the fruity nuances present.
Have a Taste~
Our 2010 Fiano is light straw colored with golden hues. You’ll pick up some ripe pear and apple coupled with honey florals in the nose. On the palate you’ll notice fresh peach, ripe pear, light honeysuckle, lemon and pineapple with just a hint of sweet pink grapefruit at the finish. The softness of this wine allows it to pair well with rich shellfish and seafood dishes but will also balance out some fattier foods such as creamy cheeses and salami.
The Grape~
The ancient Romans loved the Fiano grape and we thought it was about time the modern world rediscovered this wonderful varietal. Fiano is a native of Italy’s Campania region near the town of Avellino where the Romans used it to make a wine they called Apianum. We call our incarnation Novantina and it is delicious. We are one of just a few wineries to embrace Fiano, but it is building momentum here in northern California.