Falanghina is a fascinating southern Italian grape that produces fresh, racy unoaked wines. Church Mouse is crystal clear, bright straw yellow colour with a citrus fruit nose, which also displays floral notes. A classic wine for fish, it is dry, full-bodied, fresh and clean with crisp acidity. I can also be enjoyed with antipasti, grilled chicken and salads.

The hills near the city of Torre Maggiore in Puglia - the "heel of Italy" - are a wonderful location for the cultivation of fine quality grapes. With good ventilation from sea breezes and a marked variety of temperatures, a long ripening season is possible and healthy fruit is the result. The grapes were hand-picked during the 2nd week of September 2008 in typically sunny, dry conditions. Earlier in the year, the weather had been a little cooler than usual and with more rainfall, especially in June and July. When the grapes reached the winery, they were pressed carefully in a protected atmosphere to avoid loss of the delicate aromas. The must then rested for 12-24 hours, after which the sediment is removed and the juice fermented with selected yeasts in temperature controlled conditions. After fermentation, the wine is left in contact with its lees for at least 3 months in order to maximise flavour and body.

Available from

Asda

Recommendations

Asda also has some tasty unadorned, stainless steel-fermented examples, such as the 2009 Church Mouse Falanghina that oozes rich, green, celery and stone fruit flavours for only £6.98. It’s summer in a glass. - Jane MacQuitty, The Times Here's a full-flavoured but refreshing dry white from the south of Italy. It has bold grapefruit and melon fruit with some grapey notes. Just lovely. - Jamie Goode - Sunday Express

Notes

1 Prices quoted are guide prices only and may vary between stockists and if the product is on promotion. 2   We cannot guarantee availability of products at the stockists listed.