Good morning all,
Simon’s Wine of the Week is Rechsteiner Manzoni Bianco
Now this is a wine I’ve been wanting to try for a while but never did quite get round to it. This weekend I finally cracked a bottle and what a delight it is. So why have I been so interested in this wine? Because it’s made from a grape that I’ve never heard of! I’ve encountered a lot of grape varieties over the years, but I’ve never come across a Manzoni Bianco. Time to do some research.
Manzoni is an interesting little grape; it’s a crossing of Riesling and Pinot Blanc made by a Professor Luigi Manzoni, an Italian Oenologist, back in the 1930s. This may seem a little artificial, crossing two grapes to make a new one, but it happens in nature all the time. The world’s most popular grape variety, Cabernet Sauvignon, is the product of the natural crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc back in the 17th Century.
Manzoni Bianco is easily the most successful of the good Professor’s grape crossings and is getting more and more popular in Italy. Usually grown in Northern Italy, it’s natural adaptability to various soils and climates means it has been migrating further and further South, with vineyards now right down in the heel of Italy’s boot, in Puglia.
The wine comes from one of the mainstays of our range, Cantina Rechsteiner. Based in Veneto, they’ve been producing wines since the 18th Century, and have over 50 vineyards dotted around the region. They’re super sustainable in the vineyards and winery, believing that they are only the custodians of the land, not the owners, and it is their duty to hand it over to the next generation. They are also proud beekeepers.
The wine itself is an absolute delight. Pale lemon in colour with a light and fresh nose of melon, unripe lemon, and a touch of cream. In the mouth it is dry with bracing acidity. Flavours of lemon zest, pear, and apricot, with a touch of leafy notes in the background are all wrapped up in a long finish. I finished my tasting notes with the word ‘Excellent’. I like this wine.
This wine is a great alternative to any light and fresh wine on a list. It’s perfect for sitting in a pub, and drinking a glass or two on its own, or with lighter fish or salad dishes. I had it with a creamy seafood linguine that I whipped up, and it was a perfect.
Have a great week,
Simon
