Picco Attila 2017

Italy's cool Alpine region in the north produces wines that shine for their bright fresh fruit and aromatic qualities. For many decades the area has adopted some international stars but it also has a fascinating array of native varieties and one of its finest is Ribolla Gialla. It makes some expensive wines in Colli Orientali, but our friend Alessandro Gallici has taken this grape and crafted us a much more affordable version - lots of ripe orchard fruit, creaminess, yet with a good balance of freshness, finishing it with a hint of oak (20% of the Chardonnay was aged in oak botti). Named after a hill that, legend tells, Attila the Hun's soldiers built in AD 452, it's an attractive wine solo and a party piece with white meat or fish dishes.