When I think of wines with nutty characteristics (like hazelnut, almond, or walnut), I think of Madeira, Shiraz, and sometimes Pinot Noir. Rarely have I experienced these traits in a white wine!
Fiano, a white grape with a vast Italian history, is known for strong traits of hazelnut and almond. Because it is a very low yielding vine and the grapes produced result in even less juice, wine producers did not dedicate much effort towards Fiano vines until recently. Interestingly, many of the historic Fiano vines are grown alongside Hazelnut plantations.
This 2017 Galadino Fiano had a deep straw color and a subtle effervescence. The aromas were of almond, mild citrus and pineapple. The taste was buttery but acidic with an initial sharpness that quickly softened. Almond flavors were extremely prominent with a pairing of honey. The oily taste and sensation that I felt from this wine was a little unusual to me. I believe that the prominence of almond resulted in a lingering finish that was a bit overbearing.
As the 52 Weeks of Wine Training Program progresses, I’ve noticed a lot of refinement in my palate towards white wines. Unfortunately, I gave this wine a 2 out of 5 cork rating simply because I felt that it lacked a balance in the traits with the prominence of almond. I look forward to hearing the tasting experience of others participating in the training program!
This 2017 Galadino Fiano typically retails for $14.99-19.99.