Wine 2008 Meditazione

Meditazione is an exotic, non-traditional white skin-fermented blend inspired by the "Vino da Meditazione" wines in the Friuli region of Northeast Italy. This is our fifth vintage of this wine and we are thrilled that the following for our Meditazione by consumers, the press and sommeliers has soared (Paul Grieco of Hearth and Terroir in NYC has called Meditazione "the greatest white wine in America"). So much so that we have made enough of the wine to send to the wine club for the first time! This is a style of wine that is ancient yet only relatively recently revived and touted in the wine world as part of the "orange" wine movement. Indeed the color of these wines is darker than other whites due to the skin maceration; ours has a beautiful rich, dark golden hue. Our 2008 Meditazione is comprised of 27% Sauvignon Blanc, 27% Chardonnay, 16% Tocai Friulano, 16% Muscat Ottonel and 14% Pinot Grigio. All the fruit for our Meditazione was hand-harvested from our estate in Bridgehampton, de-stemmed and the grapes were fermented together on their skins for ten days in an open-top fermenter. Raised in 63% new and 37% old/neutral French and Slovenian oak puncheons, hogsheads and barriques for 18 months, this is a textured, aromatic and delicious white wine that appeals to both the senses and the intellect. Our 2008 Meditazione is dry, medium-plus in body, has moderate alcohol and juicy acidity. The flavors and aromas are exotic, concentrated, penetrating and complex. They remind one of chamomile tea, citrus and apple blossoms, fresh and dried apricots, pear skin, brown spice, nuts, peach and honey. This rich wine has sex appeal and a long persistent finish. Drink our 2008 Meditazione with game birds, pork belly, sausages, aged alpine cheeses and fish dishes containing nuts, seeds or squash. It will also be excellent with veal Marsala and items with sherry sauces. Do not over chill this wine as it will mute the flavors, and try thinking about it more in the context of a red wine. 358 cases were produced. One case limit per customer.