One of our favourite whites we've discovered since the business launched at the end of last year is Stefano Zoli's Verdicchio di Matelica. After selling out of the debut 2020 vintage, we had a chance to try his second release - the 2021.
It is EXTREMELY good. The finesse and tension that was there is his debut vintage remains, but is there perhaps a touch more precision here? It showed enormously well over dinner and we were so impressed we committed there and then to the wine - we have bought 10% of his entire production. The 2020 recently got very highly rated by Decanter, but we regrettably only had a handful of bottles left at that point.
You may be more familiar with Stefano's work in reds – as Chiara Condello’s winemaker. In addition to his day job working for Chiara, he has a tiny vineyard (less than 1ha) set amongst the Appenine Mountains, in Marche. He’s working with 55 year old vines set in chalky soil, and with a huge temperature difference between day & night. This diurnal shift packs the wine with flavour, yet keeps a lovely acidity.
It’s a really crisp, delightful white full of vibrancy & tension – and no shortage of flavour. This is really lovely stuff, and well worth trying – the 2020 was very much a firm favourite here at Delf Farm, and we expect the 2021 will be too!
Very highly recommended by us. This works out at £20.68 a bottle all in, and I don't think you will find many Italian whites at this price point that deliver this quality or level of flavour.