Our tasting with Antonio and Daniela of Cantina Giardino at their cellar in Ariano Irpino back in April was fascinating as always. Last year’s harvest was a generous one, but with less concentration, delicate skins and lower levels of alcohol, the two decided to decrease the amount of maceration and élevage across the board. The result is a different style of wine. Fruity and easygoing, they are remarkably open and complete in their youth. These wines are joined by a pair from 2016 which are showing very well indeed.
We have just received the following wines.
CANTINA GIARDINO Vino Frizzante Metodo Olimpia 2018
A pet nat of Greco from their T’ara rà vineyard, a beautiful plot of old vines some 650 metres above sea level. It’s fermented on the skins in vats, pressed off and finishes fermentation in the bottle. There is no disgorgement, leaving a cloudy, amber wine that is just the right side of frizzante. This is about as old-school as sparkling wine gets and screams for a nice hunk of salami or some salty, aged cheese.
CANTINA GIARDINO Vino Frizzante Rosato 2018
A pet nat of Aglianico from a number of old vineyards high in the hills of Irpinia. It’s pressed directly, begins fermentation in cuve and finishes in the bottle. There is no disgorgement, leaving a cloudy, pure-fruited sparkling wine bursting with little red fruits and blood orange bitterness.
CANTINA GIARDINO Vino Bianco 2018 [1.5L]
Coda di Volpe from vines young and old planted at elevation in the hills of Irpinia. The skins were a little more delicate than usual and so Antonio made the decision to reduce the maceration to just a couple of days, after which the wine was pressed off to finish fermentation and elevage in big old casks for nine months. Bright yellow in tone and flavour, this is the kind of fresh, fruity and easygoing wine that makes so much sense in big bottles.
CANTINA GIARDINO Vino Rosato 2018 [1.5L]
A true field blend of grapes from an old vineyard of Aglianico, Primitivo, Piedirosso and more that spent just an evening on skins before being pressed off to old casks for nine months. Fitting the vintage, this is by far the lightest and brightest Vino Rosato we’ve seen from the guys. A deep pink, with faint tannins and a pleasant bitterness on the finish, it offers refreshment in spades.
CANTINA GIARDINO Chianzano 2016
A brand new wine from a young vineyard they’ve planted underneath the site that produces the fruit for Adam at aroun 450 metres above sea level, topped up with a little Greco from their 80 year old vines there. The blend is roughly ⅓ Greco and ⅔ Coda di Volpe that spent six days on skins and 18 months in old chestnut casks. It wows with a delicate nose of citrus and herbs and a beautiful lightness on the palate. A wonderful addition to the family.
CANTINA GIARDINO Le Fole 2016
Aglianico from a remote vineyard around seventy five years old, planted almost 500 metres above sea level. It sees a month of maceration and two years élevage in old chestnut casks. Full of old vines complexity, this is a little more delicate and nuanced than previous vintages, providing a great introduction to the grape.