Donnafugata Chiaranda – Harmonious

50% Ansonica and 50% Chardonnay from Marsala, Sicily, Italy.SRP of $40 and available widely for around $35 (Saturday Splurge). Sample submitted for review.

From the bottle:

“Founded by a Sicilian family with 150 years of premium winemaking experience, Donnafugata means ‘fleeing woman’ and refers to Queen Maria Carolina, who in the 19th century took refuge in western Sicily where the vineyards are today.

Made from 50% Ansonica, 50% Chardonnay, Chiaranda is an elegant wine with exotic fruit notes enhanced by partial barrel aging. Serve with lightly chilled fish and poultry.

13.0% Alcohol”

Ansonica, also known as Inzolia, is a white grape grown primarily in Sicily and used in the production of the fortified wine Marsala. It can also commonly be found blended with Vermentino to make table wines. A distinguishing feature is the pleasant nutty character it imparts to a wine and that’s exactly what it does in today’s wine. And for those who rather not splurge to check out this grape, Donnafugata also makes a less expensive white that contains Ansonica: Donnafugata Anthilia Sicilia Bianco 2011 – A Succulent Sicilian.

The 2008 Donnafugata Chiaranda Contessa Entellina Bianco begins with a pleasant and intriguing combination of aromas: pear, honeysuckle, baked apple, a little spice, and some light buttery and nutty notes. The wine tastes silky, thick and slightly creamy but still with crisp fruit edges. It features honey, pear, apple and some wonderful spicy notes. The wine has obviously gone through some oak aging, but it’s quite tasty and not overly oaky at all. Oftentimes I find that the truly excellent wines shine on the finish and that is exactly the case here. It ends fruity but then as the long finish continues those buttery and nutty notes from the nose reappear to tie everything together in a harmonious fashion. Tremendous.

See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.

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