Ancarani Le Signore Famoso 2020

This week’s Wine Crush is Ancarani Le Signore Famoso from Emilia-Romagna, Italy. 

Ancarani is a family run winery with a deep dedication to reviving indigenous varietals and producing them in a way that allows the grape to be exactly what it is. This week we're crushing on an ancient, rare varietal grown in the Faenza Hills of Italy. Though the grape Famoso (Uva Rambela) dates back to 1467, it was abandoned by winemakers in the region in the 1900s because of its floral qualities and lack of commercial appeal in international markets. Sadly, this happened with many native varietals at the time. Lucky for us, it was rediscovered among two rows of old vines nestled within a walled garden in the city of Forli, completely free of phylloxera. Ancarani is one of two vineyards dedicated to revitalizing this specific grape, as well as other indigenous varietals we wouldn't get to taste otherwise!

With lavender and crushed lilac petals on the nose, followed by juicy stone fruit, ripe acidity, and a stoney minerality as it hits your mouth, it's a bright and balanced white. At Ancarani the famoso is grown at high elevation to bring out the grape's natural acidity and is fermented in concrete tanks to allow the deliciousness of this fun grape to shine. Drinking it is a bit like being transported to the rolling foothills of the region, and sitting in a garden of wild flowers, fruit trees, and herbs, probably near an old stone fountain— it's a truly special wine that tells a great story of where it's from. 

Swing by West Seattle or Sunset Hill to grab a bottle and let us know what you think!