www.cantineviola.it

Don’t be fooled by the unassuming and unremarkable label: this is one of Italy’s most remarkable dessert wines.  Luigi Viola, a retired school teacher, decided that, rather than sit at home and collect his pension, he would revive the ancient tradition of Moscato del Saraceno that was in danger of extinction.  High in the Pollino National Park Moscato, Malvasia and Guarnaccia are grown and harvested by hand.  Each bunch is air-dried and then vinified separately before blending and ageing in stainless steel.   This is a dessert wine of rare complexity.