On the Road with the Grape Guy
Montefalco White Wines (April 2023)
27 Nov 2023- Details
- Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy
Trebbiano Spoletino DOC & Superiore
I was once told (by a fellow writer) that Spoleto was a gem - but it was said with a wink, so I was not sure how to take the comment. Now I know, that writer meant it as a compliment. Trebbiano Spoletino is like no other Trebbiano out there on the market; and the more producers in the region get to play with it, the better it becomes. There are some great up-and-coming Spoletino producers coming along and they in-turn are learning how to get the most out of this indigenous grape. It's exciting to see the fruit shining through and the acidity, offering up both punch and balance to these wines. High praise indeed, my only caveat is when it comes to the use of oak: dial it back – this has potential to be such a great wine, something that screams summer, refreshment and finesse. Spoletino is best consumed, fresh, young and vibrant, not everything needs an oak barrel to make it better.
24 wines were tasted in this category, 16 made my list, that's a 2/3 ratio, and just under half get a better-to-best rating. Keep up the amazing strides with this grape. It's thrilling to see and taste.
Bocale 2022 Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino DOC Treb Spoletino
-- Fresh and lively with beautiful grapefruit notes - seems like Sauvignon Blanc – but also has nectarine, peach, pineapple and mango - great job ... (Best)
Benedette & Grigi 2020 Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino DOC - Ermes ... (Better)
Colle Mora 2021 Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino DOC - Bagnolo ... (Better)
Colle Uncinano 2022 Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino Superiore DOC ... (Better)
Ninni 2021 Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino DOC - Poggio del Vescovo ... (Better)
Pardi 2021 Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino DOC - Spoletino ... (Better)
Perticaia 2022 Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino DOC ... (Better)
Colle Ciocco 2021 Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino DOC - Tempestivo ... (Good)
Colle Uncinano 2022 Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino DOC - La Pettinata ... (Good)
De Conti 2022 Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino DOC - Rovicciano ... (Good)
Terre di San Felice 2022 Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino DOC ... (Good)
Valdangius 2020 Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino DOC - Filium ... (Good)
Antonelli 2021 Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino DOC - Treblium ... (OK)
Cocco Ilaria 2021 Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino DOC - Avventata ... (OK)
Pardi 2022 Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino DOC ... (OK)
Valdangius 2021 Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino DOC - Campo de' Pico ... (OK)
Grechetto DOC
My fascination with Grechetto ended a long time ago; these days I equate it with boring white wine - kind of in the same basket as Pinot Grigio. I tasted 11 wines with eight making the cut, but only one wine I considered as better, and it was during this tasting I created a lower category than good ... Okay, indicating a wine that didn't tickle my spirit or my fancy, but would be okay to drink.
Adanti 2022 Montefalco Grechetto ... (Better)
Antonelli 2022 Montefalco Grechetto ... (Good)
Benedetti & Grigi 2021 - Eros - Montefalco Grechetto ... (Good)
Arnaldo Caprai 2022 Montefalco Grechetto ... (OK)
Colle Ciocco 2022 - Clarignano - Montefalco Grechetto ... (OK)
Scacciadiavoli 2022 Montefalco Grechetto ... (OK)
Dionigi 2021 - Vigna del Brillo - Montefalco Grechetto ... (OK)
Tenuta di Saragano 2021 - Montacchiello - Montefalco Grechetto ... (OK)
Montefalco Bianco DOC
For as uninteresting I find Grechetto, Bianco are next level boring. This seems like a dumping ground for grapes not destined for Spoletino or Grechetto. It’s straight up white wine, with little in the way of having a personality. They are like tadpoles, waiting to grow up and become full-fledged frogs. For the most part, these are drink now wines, with little in the way of ageability or ability to hold interest. Think unoaked Chardonnay, without the benefit of the lees: they'll get the job done, but don't expect much. Nine wines were tasted in this category, seven made the ranking, but nothing rose above good.
Arnaldo Caprai 2022 Montefalco Bianco
(60 Trebbiano / 40 Chardonnay) ... Good
Scacciadiavoli 2021 Montefalco Bianco
(50 Trebbiano / 30 Grechetto / 20 Chardonnay) ... Good
Tenuta Bellafonte 2022 Montefalco Bianco - Sperella ... Good
Tenuta di Saragano 2021 Montefalco Bianco - Saragano
(70 Trebbiano / 30 Grechetto) ... Good
Terre de la Custodia 2020 Montefalco Bianco - Plentis
(60 Trebbiano / 40 Chardonnay) ... Good
Moretti Omero 2022 Montefalco Bianco ... OK
Tenuta Alzatura 2020 Montefalco Bianco - Aria di Casa ... OK