Log in / Sign up Maan Wines Flirty Fiano 2021
The southern Italian grape fiano has had a relatively meteoric rise in Australia. It’s not quite ready to push chardonnay, pinot grigio, or sauvignon blanc off the podium anytime soon, but in a tick, over 15 years it has risen to be readily identifiable by both keen wine drinkers and those more casual. But it was not that long ago that the grape was nearing extinction in its homeland, with the low-yielding vines shunned for more productive varieties. But a renaissance in its ancestral region of Campania was followed by a push into warmer zones – such as Sicily – that was shadowed by a similar, albeit more modest, investment in our own arid zones. Today, with well over 50 makers turning out examples, fiano has found its second home here. And, naturally, that necessitates a deep dive.
Flirty MAAN Fiano embodies all the virtues that make us smile knowingly when we hear the term 'flirty'; fresh, playful, cheeky, and even a little bit too easy. A bright, crisp, fruit-driven style with subtle complexity and texture, encapsulated within a deceptively smash-able vino. Go nuts.
White fish meat like Garfish or Whiting with more delicate flavours
On the nose, there’s the white nectarine, pineapple syrup, dragonfruit, and lychee. As well as peach blossom, jasmine, wild fennel and a touch of green apple.
The palate carries over most of these fruit flavours of stone and tropical fruit, but there is also a real depth of citrus. However it comes across with a mixture of vanilla and coconut from barrel fermentation so reminds me of lemon curd, key lime pie, and even apricot slice. Nicely subtle phenolics, ensure a great length, and a tantalizing finish. Great now or for the next 8 years.
