2016 Inama Vulcaia Fume

2016 Inama Vulcaia Fume

Who: Matteo, Alessio, and Luca Inama

What: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Where: Soave Classico zone, Veneto

Tastes Like: Intense golden color, with notes of coffee and tropical fruit on the nose.  The palette is intensely tropical, with a lush texture and smokey finish.

Pairs With: Smoked fish, caviar, oysters, liver, onion soup.  Decadence.

The Who & Where:

The winemaking philosophy of Inama is guided by three points: one, that terroir is the most important point in determining a wine’s style; two, a wine’s caliber is determined by the strength of the ecosystem it is grown in, particularly the soil; and three, improvement is a difficult and continuous journey.  The Inama estate is family owned, and is now being run by the third generation. The first plot of land on Monte Foscarino was purchased in 1965, but the Vulcaia Fume label did not enter the market for another 30 years.

The family’s holdings are nestled in the Veneto, between the two provinces of Verona and Vicenza.  The region is marked by gently rolling hills, often forming natural amphitheaters perfectly suited to growing grapes.  They own vineyards in both of the nearby territories: Soave Classico, birthplace of ancient and mineral white wines, and the Colli Berici, wild home of red wines.  

The Wine:

This wine is the darling of the Inama line.  The winemakers wanted to highlight the impressive nature of the Soave Classico territory as it applied to a grape other than the native Garganega.  The grapes all come a single volcanic basalt vineyard on the slopes of Monte Foscarino and off of vines with an average age of over 20 years. Grapes are hand selected, then destalked and crushed and left to rest on the skins for about 3 hours.  After the grapes are pressed the must is allowed to settle for 12 hours at cold temperature. Alcoholic fermentation followed by malolactic fermentation takes place in 30% new barriques made from heavy toasted wood. Prior to racking, batonnage is carried out every 6 weeks for about 7 months. Fining for 6 months in stainless steel vats, ltration, through a coarse lter (without fining) occurs prior to bottling.  Production of this wine transcends styles and trends of the moment, creating a truly unique offering. There are no similar wines made in this category.