Ca Dei Frati Lugana DOC 2023

This vibrant, high-octane white is crafted from the indigenous Turbiana grape. Until recently, Turbiana was mistaken for a member of the Trebbiano family, but make no mistake – it’s a variety all its own. In the hands of the 80-year-old Cà dei Frati winery, it’s producing some of the most exciting white wines I’ve tasted in years.

When you pop the cork on the I Frati, you’re greeted with an aromatic fireworks show that screams “Italian Sancerre.” It boasts the laser-focused acidity we love in great Chablis and Sancerre, but with a unique personality. Think bright citrus and crisp orchard fruits, underscored by subtle herbal notes and a tantalizing hint of salinity that speaks to its terroir near the Italian Alps.

What really sets this wine apart is the winemaking. Cà dei Frati takes a wonderfully minimalist approach, skipping malolactic fermentation to preserve Turbiana’s natural, crystalline acidity. They age it on the lees in stainless steel, followed by a brief stint in bottle. The result? A wine that’s both zippy and effortlessly elegant, with a texture and pure-fruited approach that keeps you coming back for more.