Casa Belfi Bianco · 2021

2.8/5

4 reviews

Seductive is by far the best way to define this Casa Belfi Bianco delle Venezie wine. The golden orangey colour it has gained from three days working the must with grape skins seduces the eye, whereas the aromas of fruit tree blossom such as orange flowers and lime charm the nose. The grapes are grown using biodynamic cultivation methods in pebble covered vineyards in San Polo di Piave, in the province of Treviso. Local yeasts are used and the resulting wine is very agile in the mouth, but also complex. A smooth, lively, and sprightly wine, yet delicate at the same time. Its partial fermentation in oak barrels leaves barely a trace of wood while the natural stabilization the cold winter brings about, together with the fact that it is unfiltered, leads to a slightly cloudy finish. A fresh citrus flavour of kumquat embellishes its mouth, which is surprisingly fatty despite its low alcohol content. It is brimming with energy, stimulating the sides of the tongue which react enthusiastically to the fine salt and delicate hints of lime. Chardonnay grapes provide the Casa Belfi Bianco delle Venezie with body and reminiscences of green apples while the Incrocio Manzoni variety gives it a more delicate and floral touch. An excellent wine to accompany an oily fish meal, or roast turkey or chicken in a white sauce or with lemon. Alternatively it also makes for an excellent aperitif wine. Once you try this wine, we're sure you'll agree with us in that it is of a quality rarely seen in this price range.

Nose

Fresh flowers, Linden, Citrus fruits, Green apple

Palate

Agile, Vivacious, Oily, Saline, Delicate

Pairs with

Rice dishes, Seafood, Soft full-fat cheeses

Drink

Serve between 6ºC and 8ºC

£20.48£22.37−8%

About the vineyard[+]

Buy Italian Wine Online — Delivered to the UK Vinissimus stocks over 400 Italian wines — from everyday Chianti and Prosecco to aged Barolo and Brunello di Montalcino. Browse by region, grape or style using the filters below, with delivery across the UK and £10 off your first order. Italian wine regions Italy produces wine in every one of its 20 regions. Four are the most useful starting points: Tuscany: home to Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico, Bolgheri and the Super Tuscans — Sassicaia, Tignanello, Ornellaia. Italy's most recognised fine wine region. Piedmont: home to Barolo and Barbaresco, both made from Nebbiolo — powerful, structured reds built for long ageing. Also, the source of Barbera d'Asti, Moscato d'Asti and Franciacorta-adjacent sparkling wines from Alta Langa. Veneto: produces more wine than any other Italian region. Amarone della Valpolicella is its flagship — rich and concentrated, made from partially dried grapes. Also the source of Valpolicella Ripasso, Soave and Prosecco. Puglia: bold, ripe reds — mainly Primitivo and Negroamaro. Excellent value relative to Tuscany and Piedmont. Italian red wine Italian red wine ranges from light, fresh styles like young Valpolicella and Bardolino, through medium-bodied Chianti and Barbera, to some of the longest-lived reds in the world — Barolo, Brunello and Amarone. The three grapes most worth knowing: Nebbiolo, Sangiovese and Primitivo. Italian white wine Pinot Grigio is the most exported Italian white, but the more interesting bottles come from Campania — Fiano di Avellino, Greco di Tufo — from Friuli, from Soave in the Veneto, and from Sardinia's Vermentino. Barrel-aged white Burgundy lovers often find a natural home in Verdicchio or white Rioja-style whites from Friuli. Italian sparkling wine Three styles worth knowing: Prosecco: light and fresh, pear and floral notes, from the Veneto. The most widely drunk Italian sparkling wine. Franciacorta: from Lombardy, made using the same method as Champagne. More complex and aged than Prosecco, with better structure and depth. Asti Spumante: sweet and low-alcohol from Piedmont, made from Moscato Bianco. A different category — not a Champagne substitute but a style in its own right. Italian wine classifications Four quality tiers from lowest to highest: Vino da Tavola: table wine, no geographical indication IGT: broader regional indication — includes many Super Tuscans that deliberately sit outside DOC rules DOC: controlled designation of origin, with specific rules on grape varieties and production methods DOCG: the highest tier, strictest controls — includes Barolo, Brunello, Chianti Classico, Amarone and Franciacorta FAQ What is the best Italian red wine? Depends on budget and style. For everyday drinking, a Chianti Classico or Barbera d'Asti offers reliable quality from £12–20. For special occasions, Barolo and Brunello di Montalcino are the benchmark — structured, age-worthy reds that rival the best in the world. What is the difference between DOC and DOCG? Both are controlled designations, but DOCG is the higher tier with stricter production rules and mandatory tasting approval before release. DOCG covers Italy's most prestigious wines — Barolo, Brunello, Chianti Classico and Amarone among them. What Italian wine is similar to Malbec or Shiraz? Primitivo from Puglia is the closest in style — full-bodied, dark fruit, warm spice, soft tannins. Nero d'Avola from Sicily is another option, slightly more structured with a Mediterranean earthiness. Which Italian wines are good for beginners? Prosecco for sparkling, Pinot Grigio or Soave for white, and Chianti or Valpolicella for red. All are approachable, widely available and a reliable starting point before moving into more complex styles.

£20.48£22.37