Marisa Cuomo - Fiorduva Furore Bianco, 2017
Marisa Cuomo and Andrea Ferraioli first founded the winery in 1980. Today, its vineyards stretch for 10 hectares in the beautiful landscape of the Amalfi Coast, in the Southern Italian region of Campania.
Marisa Cuomo’s viticultural efforts are heroic as this winemaker overcame the challenges of a peculiar geography. The vineyards cling to steep dolomitic rocks 500m above sea level. Some of the cliffs are almost vertical. Manual labour is the only choice is such an extreme environment.
Sun and sea are the magical ingredients of this stretch of heaven and both affect the wine produced therein. The sun contributes to richness and ripeness, while the sea mitigates the warm temperatures of this location and gives a lovely freshness with its maritime breezes.
Marisa Cuomo is devoted to the local grape varieties of Campania. This “Fiorduva” is a blend of native grapes unheard of elsewhere. All exhibit exceptional quality. Fenile has high sugar content and provides a bright colour. Beyond having a fresh acidity, ginestra is more aromatic and confers aromas of broom and acacia. Another native grape, ripoli gives perfumed honeyed nuances. The fruit used for Fiorduva is the best available in the estate. The grape bunches are picked when they are very ripe. After a soft pressing, fermentation starts in oak barriques, where the liquid is kept for about three months. The wine is then matured for four months in stainless steel tanks before being bottled.
In the glass the wine has a bright lemon hue, pale in intensity. On the nose it opens up with exceptional richness and extrovert flavours. Succulent white peach and apricot notes mingle with tropical nuances of mango and pineapple. Lovely floral aromas are also present. In particular, honeysuckle, acacia flowers and orange blossom. Candied lemon and a subtle nuttiness linger in the background. Hints of a saline minerality reveal the proximity to the sea.
On the palate, the wine is full in body with a dense yet refined texture. From the first sip, the wine’s perfume and complexity are revealed. Aromas of yellow peach, fleshy apricot and tropical fruit complement flowery nuances. A laser-sharp acidity harmonises the rich aromatic profile, contributing to a great tension and precision. The wine graciously evolves in the mouth, revealing subtle notes of toast and nuts in the mid-palate. Pronounced in intensity of flavours, this rich white is both elegant and energetic. The long finish verges towards stone fruit and acacia notes. Complex and extrovert, all components are beautifully integrated. An outstanding wine from a blessed country.