[FA-lan-GHEE-nah]

She is an ancient grape (maybe one of the very oldest?) whose recent success has played a big part in the commercial recognition of the wines from Campania as a whole. Through the recent (and behemoth) undertaking of sorting native Italian grapes through their genetic makeup, it would seem that there are in fact two (maybe 3?) different grapes that share this name. This Falanghina in Campi Flegrei is the oldest genotype but the more common examples that we see here in the US may in fact be its own independent variety. Stay tuned. I wonder who gets to keep the name? Regardless it’s as fun to drink as is to say, from the easy guzzlers to the more complex examples such as this wine.

Falanghina may now be the most recognized white wine from Campania, even though perhaps it’s still not considered the best. It’s recognition likely comes from the combination of approachability in both price point and in over-all deliciousness. And maybe because it’s just fun to say. The Falanghina from the coast (from the Flegrea volcanic peninsula) is an early ripener and tends to have a more fruity driven profile, where Falanghina Beneventana shows more floral and mineral complexity. Perhaps when this is all sorted out there will be a rise in the status of great Falanghina, and it is surely wines like this one that will help make that happen.

Agnanum / Capolino Perlingieri / Mustilli