Chardonnay Cantine de Falco was quite a revelation when we first tried it. This is an area famed for its red wine production but here we have a beautifully fresh, unoaked Chardonnay that is packed with fresh tropical fruit notes, touches of stone fruit and a superb texture. It couldn’t be more effortless and Italian if it tried but also captures the essence of the Chardonnay grape brilliantly. It’s a great glass of wine, I might be thinking about it too much.
Cantine de Falco was created 50 years ago in Novoli, a town just northwest of Lecce in the heart of Salento. It is a family operation still run today by Gabriele and his father Salvatore de Falco. I don’t use the word passion very often, it is an overused word ruined by celebrity chefs and Apprentice contestants but you can’t help but get swept up in the passion and enthusiasm that the de Falcos and their whole team exude at this wonderful winery. The de Falcos have a deep understanding of their land and grape varieties. Everything is geared towards making quality wine and the production mixes traditional know how with modern techniques to ensure that the same quality can be achieved across all levels.
Most of the vineyards are located around the towns of Lecce, Taranto and Brindisi which all fall into the wider area known as Salento, the name given to the sun-drenched heel of Italy’s boot. Production is centred on the full bodied, rich and powerful grape varieties of Negroamaro and Primitivo which are both capable of producing superb value entry level wines but also more complex, age worthy wines.
