“Gazza Ladra” is an organic white wine obtained from the soft pressing of hand-harvested, pure Fiano grapes in Corato (north of Bari Murge, Puglia, Italy), 250 meters above sea level. It comes from a family farm producing artisanal wine and oil since 1822. We are close to Castel del Monte, an octagonal castle of UNESCO Heritage, as shown on one of the Italian euro coins.
Produced in about 7,000 bottles/year, this organic white wine is named after the magpie bird living on Murge hills and the music of famous Italian composer Gioacchino Rossini. The Fiano Irpino grape, characterized by great vigor and power and historically well-acclimatized in Puglia, had the first regional production experiment in high-quality bottles with the 2001 harvest wine (cadastral sheet 40, parcel 4). The excellent acidity of fruits allows these grapes to overcome the hot Puglia summer temperatures without any stress, keeping freshness and aromatic heritage: our Gazza Ladra is a Puglia Riesling, as we like to call it.
Alcoholic fermentation in steel and refinement for 5/6 months in suspension on fine lees. When young, this wine’s color is intense yellow with light green nuances, with a persisting aroma of orange, flowers, and white fruits. Alcohol 13% approximately, elegant start on the palate, persistence, freshness and light salinity balanced by structure.
Featuring a dry taste, this is a particular product in the Apulian production of white wines. It can be appreciated from five to ten years from harvest in the best years.
It is a good aperitif and can be better paired with summer Mediterranean dishes, raw seafood, cuttlefish, squids, octopus, fish, cured meat, baked pasta, and white meat. We recommend drinking it fresh, which improves in the two to three years after harvesting. Serving temperature is approximately 8-10 °C. To be opened ten minutes before drinking.
AWARDS
Denomination: Puglia IGP Fiano
Grapes: 100% Fiano
Plot: Santa Lucia
First year of production: 2001
Average yield: 4,000 bottles/year
Vineyard surface: 1.5 ha
Kg grapes/plant: 1.3/1.4 kg
Kg grapes/ha: 7,500 kg
Vineyard altitude: 250 m above sea level
Nature of soil: Calcareous
Harvest: Last decade of August
Winemaking: Cold soft pressing and fermentation in steel
Aging: 6 months into vitrified tanks
Pairing: Shellfish / white meat / baked pasta