Casa Belfi Bianco

Casa Belfi made this white in the IGT Delle Venezie, in the Veneto, from Chardonnay and Incrocio Manzoni, a local crossing of Riesling and Pinot Blanc bred in the region. Founded in 1999 at San Polo di Piave near Treviso, Maurizio and Fabiola Donadi work organically and biodynamically with the producer Albino Albani, keeping yields low and intervention in the cellar to a minimum. The vines sit on the alluvial plain of the Veneto, and the aromatic Incrocio Manzoni brings floral lift and a firm acid line to the rounder Chardonnay. The wine was aged in clay amphorae, where the porous vessel allows a gentle exchange of oxygen and rounds the texture without any oak flavour, letting the fruit and floral character stay clean. Time on the lees adds a soft, doughy weight and a saline edge that suits the natural style. The colour is pale gold, faintly hazy in keeping with the low intervention approach. The nose is ripe yellow fruit and pear with white flowers, lemon and a yeasty, doughy note, and the palate is fresh, mineral and elegant, with a long, saline finish. Serve at 10 to 12 degrees in a white wine glass.