THEWINEMONOLOGUES.COM: 1st new varietal of 2010--Falanghina!

1st new varietal of 2010--Falanghina!

I recently resolved in 2010 to try a new varietal each month. On the advice of both Gary Vaynerchuk, on his show wltv.com (www.tv.winelibrary.com/2009/11/09/falanghina-tasting-episode-763), and local wine expert Kristin Jonna, owner of Vinology in Ann Arbor and Vinotecca in Royal Oak, I chose to start out the year with Falanghina. I could not have made a better choice of varietal.

Falanghina ("FA-lan-GHEE-nah"), a white grape varietal native to Campania Italy, has been grown for thousands of years, dating back to the Roman Empire. The name translates roughly as "little stake or post", referring to the short stakes that were once used to train the vines in the vineyards of Campania.

Falanghina is not very well known to the wine drinking public in America. In fact, when I asked for a Falanghina from a very well respected wine retailer close to my home, the retailer was surprised I was asking for it because, he felt, "most Americans don't even know how to pronounce Falanghina". Lucky for me, another local wine store in Ann Arbor, the Village Corner (www.villagecorner.com), carries a couple bottles that I could choose from!

I chose the 2008 Terredora DiPaolo Falanghina. On the nose I got a heavy dose of minerality, wet rock and slate with undertones of peach and pear. On the palate I tasted bright and fresh citrus with some asparagus-type flavors and a slight guava finish that lasted a good long time. This is a fantastic medium to full bodied wine with wonderful mouth watering acidity. Falanghina is well worth the search. Go out and find it and try new things!

P.S. My wife absolutely loved the Falanghina. It has moved up to #1 on her wine fave list and she is very happy I resolved to try new varietals in 2010. She can't wait until next month. . . and neither can I!