Fiano is predominantly grown in southern Italy – Campania and Sicily – and so has risen in prominence with the quality revolution in Italian white wine. Grapes don’t generally get tried in the New World until they have already been a success in the Old World – and even then it can be a struggle to get noticed alongside the big guns of Cabernet, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. However, it’s now Fiano’s turn to start making a mark down under.
Chalk Hill is a family owned producer in South Australia’s McLaren Vale, now in the capable hands of the sixth generation of the Harvey family. I tend to think of the Vale as being one of the homes of Italian varieties in Australia – whether that’s just my perception or backed up with more than a grain of truth, I don’t know.
Lithe, with a whole range of citrus fruits on show, with a slight touch of both the vegetal – think mangetout – and the tropical – mangos FTW! With a very reasonable ABV of 12.0% this is a great summer wine, especially with lime and ginger prawns on the barbie…
I’m already a fan of Mandrarossa’s Sicilian Fiano, but Chalk Hill have moved the game on several leagues with this wine. I’m going to have to seek out the very top Italian Fianos to see how they match up!
Available by the glass at Ely Wine Bar, Ely Place, Dublin
The “Italian varietal” is surely the thing of the moment for Australian Wine?