2018 Terre Stregate Svelato Falanghina del Sannio DOC 750 ml

This time last year—back when traveling was still a thing—we found ourselves sitting in a hole-in-the-wall cafe near the Piazza Spagna in Rome looking for something to lift our moods and spirits after a long day of sightseeing. Desperate for a refreshing white wine to pair with the heat of Rome in the summertime, we ordered this 2018 Falanghina on a whim. 

One sip full of notes of Meyer lemon zest and white pepper followed by a bite of marinated artichoke sent us into a dizzying dance of sip, bite, sip until the bottle was empty. Absolutely bewitched by this aperitif, even after the bottle was long gone, the flavors of fresh grapefruit, ripe peach, and honeysuckle from the Falanghina and the salty herbaceousness of the artichokes we had snacked on lingered. 

This incredibly affordable, off-the-beaten-path 2018 is sure to give your favorite mineral-driven white wine a run for its money. With a minerality that conjures images of smooth river rocks and fresh mountain streams, this 2018 dazzles with accents of honey, spice, citrus that made it one of our top discoveries of 2019. 

Knowing little about Terre Stregate, we endeavored to dig a bit deeper and found that the estate made a name for itself as one of the most locally renowned wine-producing operations in the Beneventano region of Campania. Not only that, but our bewitchment was brought into context as we learned that the winery sits on land that is the legendary home of the Beneventano witches. This myth is how Terre Stregate got its name, which translates directly to “bewitched land.” 

Located just an hour from Naples and nestled in the Guardia Sanframondi hills, Terre Stregate is dedicated to keeping the traditions of those who inhabit the Beneventano region alive through the cultivation of native grapes like Falanghina, Greco, and Aglianico. With 61 acres of vines sprawled across the Matese Mountain overlooking the Telesina Valley and Calore River, Armando and his daughter Filomena Iacobucci tend their Falanghina carefully to preserve its intense flavors of crushed chamomile and citrus, plus accents of saline-minerality and bright acidity as they transform it from grape to wine. 

With a steadfast dedication to organic viticulture, the purity of the fruit is allowed to shine: In the words of Eric Guido of Vinous, the 2018 Falanghina is a “fresh and zesty display of salty minerals mixed with dusty florals, wild herbs, and crushed green apple with a citrus zest.” 

Awarded the highly coveted Tre Bicchieri award from Gambero Rosso and the proud recipient of dual 90-point scores—extremely high praise for such a niche Italian variety—the 2018 Terre Stregate Svelato Falanghina is a trailblazer in quality for Southern Italian white wines. Don’t miss it.