Bastianich Vespa Bianco – Equal Parts Savory And Sweet

45% Chardonnay, 45% Sauvignon and 10% Picolit from the villages of Buttrio and Premariacco in the Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC, Italy.

SRP of $36 and available for as low as $30 (Saturday Splurge). Sample submitted for review.

From the winery:

“The flagship wine of the Bastianich Estate, Vespa Bianco was created to showcase the power and evolution that a great Friulian white can have. Consisting of equal parts Sauvignon and Chardonnay with a measure of Picolit, Vespa becomes more the sum of its parts, a wine of uncommon complexity and longevity.

14.0% Alcohol”

Today’s selection comes from Bastianich, an Italian producer of wonderful wines, several of which we’ve recommended here at the site. And yes, this is the same Bastianich as Joe (from MasterChef) and his mom Lidia (from Lidia’s Italy and other cooking shows). Joe and Lidia, along with Mario Batali, are also responsible for the La Mozza winery. Check the end of the post for several other recommended wines from these wineries, but first let’s get to the Vespa Bianco.

In addition to the Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc in today’s wine, there is also a small amount of an Italian grape called Picolit. This is a white grape grown in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. It is typically used to make sweet dessert wines and gets its name from the piccolo (small) yields in the vineyard. Usually picked late just before the grapes turn to raisins, a small amount is used in today’s wine to add some wonderful sweet notes.

The 2009 Bastianich Vespa Bianco begins with a really lovely aroma of lime, pear, apricots and honeysuckle. Tasting the wine shows a wonderful crisp, fresh and lively texture. The primary flavors are lemon, citrus and tropical fruit with beautiful mineral notes and even a bit of creamy almond. It ends with a long and savory finish. Truly excellent and delicious stuff!

See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.

Other recommended wines from Bastianich and La Mozza:

• 2010 Bastianich Friulano Adriatico – Fresh and Fruity Friulano.
• 2010 La Mozza I Perazzi Morellino di Scansano – I Love It.
• 2007 La Mozza Aragone Maremma Toscana – Deeply Smooth and Deliciozo!

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