Lanthano Bianco

Vineyard and terroir

The white grapes come from all of Giorgio Mercandelli’s vineyards in Oltrepò Pavese, a foothill area between the Apennines and the Po River, spanning the provinces of Alessandria, Genoa and Piacenza. Proximity to the Po and well-drained soils rich in clay and calcareous marl create the local microclimate. The terroir is often compared with that of Barolo. The vineyards are farmed according to organic and biodynamic principles, without copper or sulfur treatments.

Grapes

The wine is a cuvée of different white varieties from all of Mercandelli’s vineyards. He does not disclose the individual varieties, believing that naming them would distract from the wine’s essence and meaning.

Vinification

The grapes are harvested entirely by hand at optimal ripeness and crushed by foot. Fermentation proceeds with native yeasts in high-silicon “ATLAC” resin vessels, chosen to provide an inert environment. Skin maceration may exceed 120 days. The wine is bottled without fining, filtration or added sulfites.

Ageing

The wine rests in bottle for at least five years. Mercandelli considers this extended maturation necessary for it to reveal its full sensory character.

Serving and pairing

Decant for 30 minutes before serving.

Label / history

“Lanthano” means “to be hidden,” reflecting Mercandelli’s conception of wine as the vine’s liquid memory concealed within the fruit. The name also refers to lanthanum, an element abundant in nature but difficult to isolate, and to his view of nature and human experience as an indivisible whole. Production totalled 3,000 bottles.