Furlani Antico Frizzante 2021

Cantina Furlani, located in Italy's picturesque Trentino-Alto Adige region, is a small, family-owned winery renowned for its natural and biodynamic wines. The estate, perched in the hills above Trento, benefits from high-altitude vineyards that provide the perfect conditions for producing fresh and vibrant wines. Led by winemaker Matteo Furlani, the winery is committed to organic and biodynamic practices, ensuring that the vines are treated with minimal intervention and that the health of the soil is preserved.

Furlani specializes in sparkling wines, particularly frizzante and pet-nat styles, which undergo spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts and minimal-added sulfites. The wines are typically unfined and unfiltered, contributing to their rustic, cloudy appearance and natural complexity. Grapes like Nosiola, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay thrive in this alpine environment, producing wines with bright acidity and mineral-driven profiles. The winery's most celebrated wines, including the Antico Frizzante and Rosato Frizzante, are characterized by their purity, light bubbles, and flavors of orchard fruits, citrus, and herbs.

Trentino-Alto Adige is the northernmost wine region in Italy, bordering Austria. This region is divided into two distinct areas: Trentino in the south and Alto Adige (also known as Südtirol) in the north. Trentino is predominantly Italian-speaking, while Alto Adige has a primarily German-speaking population, reflecting its historical ties to the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The region covers approximately 15,800 hectares of vineyards and produces around 1.3 million hectoliters of wine annually, with over 70% being white wine. The primary grape varieties in Trentino-Alto Adige are Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Schiava. The area is known for its diverse wine styles, including white, red, sparkling, and fortified wines.

Trentino, the southern part of the region, is renowned for producing crisp, mineral-driven white wines such as Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay. It is also famous for red wines like Teroldego and Marzemino. The region is home to several DOCs, including Trentino DOC, Trentino Superiore DOC, and Trentino Riserva DOC. These appellations are known for their strict production standards and high-quality wines.

Alto Adige, or Südtirol, produces some of Italy's finest white wines, including Pinot Bianco, Gewürztraminer, and Moscato Rosa. The region's red wines, such as Lagrein and Pinot Nero, are also highly regarded. The region's DOCs, such as Alto Adige DOC and Alto Adige Valle Isarco DOC, reflect its commitment to quality and diversity in winemaking. The Terlano DOC is particularly noted for its excellent white wines, including Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.

The climate in Trentino-Alto Adige is characterized by warm summers and cold winters, with significant diurnal temperature variations. This climate, combined with the region's varied topography and soil types, contributes to the complexity and uniqueness of its wines. The valley floors heat up quickly in the summer, sending warm air into the vineyard-lined slopes, resulting in ripe and flavorful grapes.

Overall, Trentino-Alto Adige offers a rich tapestry of wine styles and grape varieties, making it a fascinating region for wine lovers to explore. The combination of Italian and Germanic influences, along with the region's alpine terroir, creates distinctive and highly prized wines.