Statti Mantonico Bianco 2011
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It hasn’t taken long for Alberto and Antonio Statti to show that their initial success was no shot in the dark. An that their place in the top band of Calabrian producers is fully justified. The 500-hectare property is one of the largest in the region. Currently They have 55 hectares under vine but now that the new cellar is operational this is due to rise to 100 hectares. The Stattis are giving prominence to magliocco, gaglioppo, mantonico and greco bianco, a concentration on indigineous varieties that shows far-sighted thinking. Consultancy comes form two Sicilian oenologists, Nicola Bambina and Vincenzo Centonze, and to judge by the wines, their skills are equally effective either side of the Straits of Messina.
The idea is to combine tradition and innovation into the production of high quality wines. Alberto and Antonio Statti are the fourth generation of a family of farmers who have always felt a great link to the land and territory. Some vines were grafted from areas of the property and replanted in other areas that were considered more suitable to vine-growing. The plains around Lamezia Terme have one of the longest lasting traditions when it come to winemaking in Calabria: it can easily be compared to the Ciro’ area. "Our goal is to improve this great territory that has huge potential", says Alberto Statti.
There are hundreds of white grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles.
As the toe of Italy’s boot and closer in proximity to Sicily than any other mainland Italian region, Calabria holds much much in common with the island by way of climate, landscape and agriculture. Calabria’s principal red grape, Gaglioppo, is also a close relative of Sicily’s famous Nerello Mascalese.
Cirò, Calabria’s most valuable appellation, covers gently sloped hills on the Ionian Sea coast. Its wines are based on the indigenous red, Gaglioppo, and can be made as single varietal wines or blended with Cabernet or Merlot. Also of interest from Calabria is the red Maglioppo, likely a relative of Sangiovese. Whites here are made of Greco.