2010 Pierluigi Zampaglione “Don Chisciotte” Fiano, Campania IGT. This is a vino di tavola fiano wine wine from Campania. Grapes are grown outside of the Avellino DOCG and the Sannio DOC. It’s also an “orange wine,” meaning the juice is in contact with the skins a bit during fermentaion. This is truly a stunning wine that I’ve now had on two occasions. The wine needs to be served warm enough to render the tannins less of a factor. Beautiful light orange color. Aroma is citrus pith, citrus oil, stones, hazelnuts, and a bit of bread. My wife said that it smelled like Champagne, and I think that might have been the rocks and nuts. Strong mineral profile, rich citrus notes, wonderful acidity, and a bit of tannin. Long-lasting finish. This paired extremely well with roasted monkfish, sunchoke puree, and sauteed fennel. Glad I have more. Highly recommended.
Nice wine on its own terms, I agree, but I miss the “typicity”.
I’m not sure what you mean by “typicity.” Is the wine varietally correct? Maybe. When I think of fiano, I think floral, honey, and nuts. There’s enough of that here, and I believe more will show with age or aeration. If you mean DOC or DOCG typicity, well I think one knows one is sacrificing that knowing this is a vino di tavola/IGT.
For my part, I think the atypical component here is a stronger minerality.
That’s exactly what I mean.
I normally find minerality in spades in Fiano produced in what are traditionally considered to be the two best terroirs: Lapio and Montefredane.
But, as I said, I do agree that the Don Chisciotte is an interesting wine.