The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Veneto

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Monti Lessini DOC

When Durello sparkling got its own DOC in 2011, the still wines of the Lessini mountains were left under this name, and there are very few of them. Still Durella is searing, lemony and stony, a curiosity more than a pleasure; the Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco from these high, cool volcanic slopes are more rewarding, taut and flinty; Pinot Nero is pale, sharp and rarely seen. The Durella passito, from dried grapes, is honeyed and tart at the same time. Almost nobody bottles under this DOC, so it's a paper appellation for most purposes.

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Bottles I'm chasing

ProducerWinePriceBuy
Casa Cecchin
Monti Lessini Durella
Family estate at Montebello with old Durella vines; searingly acidic, lemon and wet stone, best with fried fish.
$12 to $18Wine-Searcher
Marcato
Monti Lessini Durella Passito
Dried-grape Durella, honey and dried apple with the grape's acidity keeping it sharp; Marcato has US distribution for its sparkling wines, so an importer request is possible.
$20 to $30Wine-Searcher