2019 Mastroberadino Falanghina Sannio

2019 Mastroberadino Falanghina Sannio

2019 Mastroberadino Falanghina Sannio, Campania, Italy

Winemaker Notes; Pale lemon-green. Aromas of ripe pineapple, citrus fruits and white flowers. Notes of honeysuckle and toasted almond on the palate are lifted by lively acidity. Pair with rich seafood dishes, anchovy-based sauces or flavorful, raw ceviche.

Falanghina is an ancient Italian white-wine grape, reportedly of Greek origin. It is also said that Falanghina is the grape variety behind Falernian, the most famous wine of Roman antiquity and the inspiration for Falerno del Massico. There has been a renaissance of interest in Falanghina since the turn of the century, and there is now a movement to restore the reputation of this once-venerated grape.

Most Falanghina is grown in Campania, in southern Italy. The vines thrive in the porous volcanic soils around Mount Vesuvius and the warm Mediterranean climate. The berries are yellow skinned and coated with a thin layer of protective wax.

As a wine, Falanghina can have a slight pine scent, but is better known for its citrus-blossom aromas, in particular bitter orange. On the palate it typically shows classic apple and pear flavors, depending on where it is grown, with spicy or mineral notes.

The estate’s history began in the mid 18th century in Avellino when it was founded by Pietro di Berardino, but it was in 1878 when it was officially founded as a winery by Angelo Mastroberardino. Since World War II, Mastroberardino has grown in size and has become most influential winery in the Campania region, accounting for more than half of the region’s production for much of the 20th Century, and at one point more than 90 percent of the Taurasi DOCG production. The modern winery produces roughly 150,000 cases annually.