We head to Italy this week and the wines of Castello Banfi. The much-admired estate was founded in 1978 by brothers John and Harry Mariani, and remarkably boasts Europe’s biggest contiguous vineyard, stretching from Tuscany to Piedmont.
The 2018 Banfi ‘San Angelo’ Pinot Grigio (1) shows just how tasty this grape can be. I love, even adore Alsace Pinot Gris but all too often struggle with Italy’s notoriously naff interpretation, finding it flabby, dull and cloying. This, though, is spot on. Cool fermented and aged for two months in steel tanks, it’s crisp, clean and refreshing. Both peachy and citrusy, it makes a very amenable mid-morning or early evening invigorator. £14.50 down from £16.00.
The 2018 Banfi ‘Principessa Gavia’ Gavi (2) is similarly classy. Produced from Cortese grown in the Principessa Gavia single vineyard estate in Piedmont, it’s apple-fresh, zesty, vibrant and inviting.
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