Region: Lazio
Zone: Frascati DOC(G)

Wine:

Cannellino di Frascati DOCG

Facts about this wine

Wine: White wine
Kind: Sweet wine
Taste: Sweetish
Volume: Medium
Min. alcohol: 12%
Storage potential: 3 years

Just before the European Union (EU) took over the authorization of classification of Italian wines, among other things, the medium sweet dessert white wine Frascati Cannellino DOC was elevated to DOCG in 2011 and it got its own subzone, at the same time changing its name to Cannellino di Frascati DOCG.

Cannellino di Frascati DOCG, which has been long regarded as a local curiosity, is made from late harvested grapes (just as the regular dry white, Frascati DOC and Frascati Superiore DOCG), namely Bianca di Candia and/or Malvasia del Lazio (Malvasia Puntinata), both of which making up for at least 70% of the blend, with the permitted addition of Trebbiano Toscano and/or Greco Bianco and/or Trebbiano Giallo and/or Bellone and/or Bombino Bianco grapes (0-30%), as well as local non-aromatic white grapes (maximum 15%).

Documents from the 1800s show that harvesting began on the day of San Crispino, October 25^th, and that it took place in 2 or 3 phases:

During the first phase, “Capata”, there would be harvested only the grapes from the “shoulders” of the cluster. The idea behind this was that the remaining grapes would ripen better, which at the same time was a form of insurance, as in the event of bad weather, the farmers would at least have some of the harvest safely indoors. The second phase was harvesting the remaining grapes after a week or two, when they would be fully ripe.

Autumn in Frascati and in Colli Albani is fairly mild, which helps the grapes get faster the so-called sweet advice, caused by the “botrytis cinerea” fungus. This natural process gives the grape a very high sugar content, which in turn accelerates the drying process. Under these ideal conditions began the third and final phase, namely the harvest of the mold-infected grapes.

This progressive harvesting method is still used in the hills of Colli Albani, which is only possible due to the area’s favorable autumn microclimate, the dry and sunny weather providing extremely favorable conditions. In other, more humid areas it would be too risky.

Cannellino di Frascati DOCG is an intense straw yellow wine, with golden reflections. The scent is distinctive, fine and delicate, with hints of fruit, while the taste is sweet, fruity, inviting and typical of the grape. If barrels have been used for vinification, there may be notes from those in the aftertaste and in the scent.

To be enjoyed with dessert.

Great dishes to have with Cannellino di Frascati DOCG

Dessert

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