White Italian Wine From Lombardy

Ottella is located in the town of Peschiera del Garda, in a region called Lugana.  Lugana straddles two wine regions, mostly Lombardy with a bit sticking into Veneto.  Over the past decade or so, the acreage under vine in Lugana has tripled, while the quality of the wines have increased as well.

The Turbiana grape was known as Trebbiano di Lugano until scientists discovered that it was actually Verdicchio.  The grapes for the 2018 Lugana DOC Riserva Molceo were grown in the white clay vineyards of San Benedetto di Lugana.

The mostly whole bunch grapes are gently pressed, vinified, then aged for 16 months, mainly on the lees in steel tanks, with some more aging in wood.  The wine is contained in what looks like an oversized Port bottle, a bit taller, though.  Alcohol resides at 13.5% abv and the retail price is about $25.

This Lombardian white wine opens with a floral nose, which is quickly joined by the scent of apricots and grapefruit.  There is an overriding sense of salinity, with a touch of lanolin as well.  On the palate, that salinity comes bursting forth in a nutty, mineral-driven flavor.  The acidity is racy enough for shellfish but not sharp enough to hurt the taste buds. If you'd like a wine which comes on like an Albariño and then behaves like a Roussanne before becoming a Sauvignon Blanc, this wine should make you happy.  It made me ecstatic.

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