Confine 2017

On the nose a pleasant aroma of candied fruits, accompanied by some spicy notes, which give a prickly sensation. In the mouth filling and fresh, with a flavourful finish that linger for a long aftertaste of honeyed nuts.

This white wine is made with Trebbiano di Lugana grapes around the southern edge of Lake Garda, where Lombardy and Veneto meet.

Trebbiano is one of the most widely planted grape varieties in the world. It gives good yields, but tends to deliver undistinguished wine. It has many specific names reflecting a family of local subtypes, particularly in Italy and France, where it is also known as Ugni Blanc. Ugni Blanc plays a key role in Cognac and Armagnac production, which results from the distillation of this dull grape.

More than with uninspiring varieties of Trebbiano, the grape grown in the Lugana DOC is associated to Verdicchio, a grape that thrives in the Marche region of central Italy. It may therefore not be a coincidence that Pilandro, the producer of this wine, also own a property in the Castello di Jesi DOC.

Confine matures in wood casks. I got it as a present and therefore don’t know the price. Up to 15 EUR I would judge it a good deal.

Additional note: On August 25, 2020 I’ve been able to visit the winery in Desenzano del Garda. The hospitality has been outstanding and got to taste all the wines they produce free of charge. I find that the wines of Pilandro offers a very good price/quality ratio. As an example, Confine, which I find a very good white wine, sells for 8 EUR.

Country: Italy
Region: Lombardy
Grapes: Trebbiano di Lugana
Type: White
Vintage: 2017
Producer: Pilandro
Price range: Economic (<15 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 4/5