Lesser Known Whites To Enjoy This Summer
The searing heat of the forthcoming summer is sure to make the palate hanker for some chillingly refreshing white wines to kick back with and temper the heat. But this season, we’re nudging you towards an invitation to discover a bevy of uniquely flavoured wines that were made for the summer. Local stars in their own right across old world bastions of Italy and new world heartlands like Argentina, some of these white wines could be the next big thing. This summer though, let these fruity and crisp surprises be the highlight of the season. Cheers!
Tornatore, Etna Bianco 2021
Sicily’s vines nestle and flourish under the Mediterranean sun off the mainland in Italy’s deep south. And while the island grows its fair share of marquee grapes, the edgy Mount Etna DOC contains a scarcely mentioned white wine by the name of Carricante which is perhaps amongst Italy’s bravest. Mount Etna is one of the world’s most active volcanoes and also sits in the vicinity of vineyards that benefit from the angry volcano’s rich mineral deposits and smoky influence. Amongst a select bunch of courageous wine estates is the rising star of Tornatore which is relatively young but is already at the top its game, harvesting fruit from vineyards sat 1000 metres above sea level. Francesco Tornatore has nurtured a vibrant Carricante style that drinks of copious melon, apple and citrus zest balanced by pure elegance and minerality.
Ameal Loureiro 2020
Portugal is synonymous with the gold standard of fortified wines but there are so many underrated vinous pearls that await discovery and we’ve recently shipped in a bright white from the country’s sunny northern reaches of Vinho Verde. This refreshing modern style white is produced from the little known Loureiro grape which the family estate of Quinta do Ameal specialises in growing and vinifying. Granite soils and oceanic winds coax brilliant expression out of the Louriero grape as does winemaker Pedro Araújo. The grape in fact lends exuberance to the famous Vinho Verde white blend and by itself shows aromatic floral notes and refreshing citrus and lime flavours laced with minerality and zip of acidity, good enough to earn 90 points from Wine Spectator.
Susana Balbo, Crios Torrontes 2020
Torrontés is an indigenous Argentine grape that stands out as a triumphant story of the new world. While most new world countries built their wine industry on the back of French grapes, Argentina’s modern wine success has been driven not just by Malbec but also the vibrant local white grape Torrontes. And Susana Balbo’s expression of Torrontes is truly special because she primarily championed the homegrown grape, lifting it from merely blending status to universal success and adoration. Argentina’s first woman winemaker crafted a cool climate white with a delectably perfumed nose and lively palate from fruit grown on Mendoza Valley’s high-altitude vineyards. Her Torrontes style is in vintage from, crackling with tones of lychee, citrus and rush of acidity, finishing clean.
