Avignonesi DaDi Bianco Toscana 2024

Avignonesi DaDi Bianco 2024, Tuscan balance

In the DaDi Bianco Toscana 2024, I find a white wine where several grape varieties and different winemaking approaches come into dialogue. Its blend combines Orpicchio, Vermentino, Grechetto and Trebbiano, while its aging on lees and its notes of citrus, Mediterranean herbs and stone give it a profile that is both lively and delicate. A wine to enjoy in its youth, when its freshness is at its fullest.

Avignonesi, the soils and the IGT Toscana Bianco

This wine is produced by Avignonesi, an estate located in southern Tuscany, in Italy. Virginie Saverys took over the reins in 2009, with particular attention paid to soil vitality and natural practices. The DaDi, whose name means "earth-soil," reflects this quest for balance between the vine, the terroir and the work in the cellar. It carries the IGT Toscana Bianco designation and is produced from organic farming; it is also vegan.

The 2024 vintage blends 48% Orpicchio, 22% Vermentino, 17% Grechetto and 13% Trebbiano. The grapes are hand-harvested at full ripeness, and each variety is then vinified separately. The methods differ according to the variety: the Orpicchio is pressed as whole clusters; the Vermentino is also pressed as whole clusters; the Grechetto undergoes six days of carbonic maceration, while the Trebbiano macerates for 48 hours with its destemmed grapes. Fermentations and aging make use of amphorae, stainless steel tanks and previously used barrels, depending on the variety. After about four months on lees, the wines are blended and then bottled. This nuanced approach is one of the reasons I find the wine interesting: the result comes from a blend thought through right down to the winemaking.

Visually, the color is not described in the available notes, so I prefer not to assign a precise hue. The nose, for its part, offers aromas of woodland fruits and grapefruit zest, brightened by a touch of crushed stone and fresh Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, the texture is creamy, the body medium and the freshness clean. A delicate minerality, evoking limestone, accompanies the whole without masking its lively character. This is not a white with heavy notes: the balance rests instead on the contrast between a supple texture and a fresh finish.

At the table, for simple, sunny cuisine

I would serve it with grilled vegetables, a simply prepared fish, or a plate of fresh cheeses: pairings that leave room for the citrus, herbs, and mineral character of the wine. Its liveliness also makes it a good choice for an aperitif before moving gently to the table. Drink it young, without waiting years, and let it sit in the glass for a few minutes so its aromas can unfold. If you're looking for a Tuscan white that combines precise blending with freshness, the DaDi Bianco 2024 deserves a place at your table.