One of the main reasons that we love Italian wines so much is that their production is mainly geared around indigenous grape varieties. Not only indigenous to Italy but many are local to specific regions.
For instance Corvina, Molinara & Rondinella are unique to Veneto in the production of Amarone and Valpolicella. Cortese is unique to Piedmont in the production of Gavi and so on. Another cracking unique Italian white grape is the Fiano grape.
Fiano hails mainly from Campania but now also a specialist quality grape in Sicily. Try and imagine a cross between Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay and you have Fiano. Wonderfully aromatic, medium to full-bodied on the palate and enough acidity to keep the wine refreshing and firm.
Two great Fiano’s that we list online are both from Sicily. Mandrarossa Fiano from Cantine Setessoli is a Gold Medal Winner and at only £7.95 a superb wine both in style/character and value for money. More recently we have listed the superb Fiano La Cometa from Planeta. A family run estate producing excellent wines as well as their world class Planeta Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
So if you do like your white wines but are getting bored then try Fiano, you will not be disappointed!
Informative and interesting post. Didn’t know any Sicilian whites. Will put it on the list. http://www.bentpage.wordpress.com.