Wines Unspecified Tenuta di Castelluccio - 2016

This white wine from Tenuta di Castelluccio, vintage 2016, hails from the beautiful Tuscan countryside. While the precise grape varieties are not specified, Tuscan sweet white wines are often crafted from indigenous grapes such as Trebbiano, Malvasia, or occasionally Ansonica. Depending on the winemaking methods—perhaps late harvest or partial drying of grapes before vinification—this wine likely displays inviting notes of honeyed stone fruit, candied citrus, and a certain floral finesse, balanced by natural Tuscan acidity. The 2016 vintage hints at a possible complexity, with the accumulated bottle age allowing for nuanced development: one might expect layers of dried apricot, toasted almonds, and subtle hints of caramel emerging on the palate.

Tuscany’s celebrated terroir, with its rolling hills, clay-limestone soils, and warm Mediterranean climate, offers ideal conditions for both red and white wines. The combination of ample sunshine and cooling breezes from both the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Apennine foothills provides a long, gentle ripening season, concentrating sugars and aromatics while preserving necessary acidity. The region’s winemaking history stretches back centuries, fostering a profound respect for tradition while also encouraging skilled producers like Tenuta di Castelluccio to explore unique expressions of terroir through sweet wines.

This style of luscious Tuscan white offers glorious pairings at the table. Classic partners include blue cheeses such as Gorgonzola dolce, creamy sheep’s milk cheeses, or the region’s almond-laced cantucci biscuits—dipped, of course, for extra indulgence. It also harmonises beautifully with fruit-based desserts (think poached pears or a light apricot tart), and can be a wonderful counterpoint to savoury starters such as foie gras or chicken liver pâté.

For the fullest enjoyment, serve this wine lightly chilled, ideally between 8 and 10°C. Decanting is seldom needed for sweet whites, but allowing the wine a few minutes in the glass will help its aromas unfurl. Sipping slowly will let you appreciate both the intensity and the harmony that exemplify Tuscan craftsmanship in this niche style.