Campania, Avellino, Montefredane. The Montefredane hill treats us to some of the most original, intense and unpredictable whites in Italian winemaking. Fiano is the main grape here and its cultivated on two Fiano di Avellino crus. One is Vigna della Congregazione, which calls up hints of wild grass and exhibits a tangy character.
Fiano d'Avellino
The other is Clos d’Haut, from the upper Montefredane area, which produces smoky wines with a touch of peat. For many wine enthusiasts, this is the stuff of dreams. Antoine Gaeta’s extraordinary work is carried on today by his wife, Diamante Renna, aided by seasoned winemaker Vincenzo Mercurio.
Vigna della Congregazione
The Vigna della Congregazione, a partially north-facing fiano vineyard selection grown at elevations of over 400 metres at Toppole di Montefredane, is irresistibly charming, with steep slopes, and deep stony, clay soils. Back in the cellar, the wines are neither clarified nor filtered, and spend a long time in steel before being released.
Fiano d'Avellino: tasting notes
The 2016 Fiano di Avellino Vigna La Congregazione is a white with a pure light and marvelous clean, fresh hints that are enticing (to say the least). Notes of meadow herbs, orange peel and ginger anticipate a palate with an overwhelming tangy sprint.
It offers up a delicate smoky tone and proves more measured than other versions. It's a seemingly endless and elegant wine. The finish is precise, lively and complex. Pure beauty. It will age with grace but I’m note sure we’re going to be able to wait much more. This is a World Class Italian white.
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