Try this month’s wine wonder...

MY wine recommendation Falanghina Beneventano 2018 is produced from a single grape variety and is often overlooked in the supermarket until Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc have been snapped up. due to their familiarity. I am always looking for quality alternatives to these wine staples and I was thrilled to have found Morrison’s The Best Falanghina Beneventano 2018. The lesser known ancient grape Falanghina, also known as Falanghina Greco due to its Greek heritage, is grown in rocky, hill-side vineyards north-east of Naples in Campania where Falanghina plays second fiddle to Fiano and Greco Bianco. However, today Falanghina is the star of the show as it wowed me with its gorgeous colour, balance and versatility. In the glass it was the colour of gold, slightly effervescent with a fresh, citrus nose. The freshness of the nose was stunning and in addition to the citrus there was also an aroma of warmed honey, which is described in wine-speak as acacia. Before tasting the wine, I was aware that this grape variety produces crisp, dry wines. However, the colour and aromas were leading me to thinking that this wine was going to be sweet, but it wasn’t.

There was a refreshing, floral character and slight bitterness, with gentle sweetness on the length, but overall it was crisp, dry and balanced. I paired it with more than one dish. It was fantastic with cold, grilled chicken breast and sweet home-grown cherry tomatoes, grilled salmon, boiled rice and pan-fried sweet tomatoes, hummus and plain crisps and on its own. A complete all-rounder. I purchased Morrison’s The Best Falanghina Beneventano 2018 from Morrisons for £7.

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