Controvento, Alto Mare Bianco 2018

Controvento, meaning “Upwind” in Italian, is a 5 hectare vineyard in the Rocca San Giovanni region of Abruzzo just off the Adriatic Sea. Enzo’s farm, situated partially in a valley with the backdrop of the beautiful Adriatic in the distance, is a completely organically-run vineyard. Vines are grown on calcareous soil and cooled by the salty breeze of the Adriatic Sea. Fertilized with only winter green manure, the vines are pruned under the waning moon and zero chemicals of any kind are ever used. Enzo’s philosophy of wine-making is strict, allowing the grapes to flourish in each and every bottle. Enzo said after visiting Cantina that he wanted to make wines like his Grandfather did, in the purest possible form, therefore, he never fines, clarifies, filters, or uses any sulphur and always allows for spontaneous fermentation.

A blend of Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, Passerina (a rare, local varietal), Malvasia di Candia, and Fiano. These vines are variously grown on clay and calcareous soils. The grapes are hand-harvested and then undergo spontaneous fermentation in the steel tanks, where they will age for several months thereafter. Unfined, unfiltered, with no addition of sulphur. Clarified, luminescent orange in the glass. Chamomile and Mott’s Apple Juice on the nose. Tastes like buckwheat but carries a lingering acidity that lights up the tongue.