Montecorneo 2024 Leonia IGT Umbria Bianco

Leonia is made from the first part of the press of Grechetto, from two different passes in the vineyard. The idea is to minimize exposure to oxygen and skins, and produce a fresh white. Mission accomplished! It's certainly fresh, but also has lovely medium body and some texture and weight on the mid-palate. Mineral and long. 

Notes from the Montecorneo website: Two batches of Grechetto are harvested ten days apart, starting in early September. The grapes are pressed fresh with a pneumatic press. The pressing is very gentle, avoiding contact with oxygen and without involving the skins. The batches ferment separately in steel, then they are assembled to spend the winter in concrete. The idea was born in the vineyard, trying to find a way to talk about what lies behind the tannic part of Grechetto, but also trying to understand its heart. 

In the parish of Sant'Andrea in 1763, "an ancient Roman inscription" was found which mentioned "Allio of the Lemonia tribe (to whom we dedicate Leonia) and centurion of the XIII Legion." The place probably took its name from this family, which is also mentioned in other inscriptions and which may have had a villa here.

Illustration by Lucia Biancalana