What to drink after a good lunch or a lovely dinner, based on delicious fish recipe, in a sea place? White wine, of course. Better a local one.
It is important to celebrate the products of a land, not only to say “thank you” to the place where you have lived a great holiday, but also to let the world know that place much better. If you are in the Sorrento, try the white Falanghina wine.
Meaning of the name
The worldwide famous Falanghina wine is an historical wine. They have been producing it on the volcanic Campanian land for ages, though it first appared in the food guides in the 19th century. The particular name maybe derives from falange, meaning the wooden pole around which they tie the grapes’ branches in order to keep them low and strong. These vines don’t grow up as trees, in fact, but remain short and take from the soil the strength to give delicious grapes. This traditional method of cultivation can be found also in Campi Flegrei, Mount Taburno, Galluccio and Benevento.
Characteristics and cultivation of the Falanghina
There are two varieties of Falanghina wine and can be distinguished in: passito and sparkling wine. In general, the qualities of this wine are: an intense straw-yellow color, a very fruity smell, a lively and slightly sour taste. Specifically, the passito – that is a bit sweeter – is produced in Benevento, the sparkling wine can also be a bit more sour and intense and is produced in the areas of the Campi Flegrei.
To obtain a high quality wine it is better to grow these vines in hilly areas, with not too rich soils and exposed to dry heat. But also those soils subject to strong temperature variations, such as volcanic soils, guarantee an excellent wine, because the sudden change between hot and cold intensifies the flavour. Once the grapes have been processed and the wine is obtained, it is kept in steel containers to keep the flavour alive for a long time.
Pairings of the Falanghina
The white Falanghina wine should be served cool enough, but not too cold. The ideal temperature is between 8° and 10°. Excellent to be paired with pasta with seafood, or with grilled fish dishes, with recipes based on cheese and pizzas. The sparkling wine version pairs better with fish and seafood dishes, but also with traditional pizza. The passito, however, goes very well with cheeses, with fruit and sweets, in particular with dry ones such as biscuits and pies.