2021 Ciro Picariello BruEmm Falanghina Campania 750 ml

There’s a certain thrill that comes with drinking wine made from a grape like Falanghina—one whose lineage stretches back centuries.

It’s much more than having a casual glass, and when that wine has been crafted by a supremely skilled winemaker like Ciro Picariello—well, the moment can be sublime. 

Somms absolutely love Picariello’s wines—which have been poured at upscale locales like SPQR in San Francisco, Singlethread in Sonoma, and Aldo Sohm Wine Bar in New York City—as do the critics: Wine Advocate called Picariello a “cult winery,” calling his bottlings some of the best in Campania. Vinous called them “some of Campania’s most-sought after wines.”

Picariello made his name with Fiano—another ancient grape—and his BruEmm Falanghina is a worthy addition to his portfolio. The wine drinks like a vivacious cross between Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay, combining the zip and vibrancy of the Mediterranean coast with a weighty sleekness filled with orchard and citrus fruit.

Picariello and his wife started their winery back in 1997, but their first vintage under their own label didn’t come until 2004. Their 12 hectares of organically farmed vineyards are located at relatively high elevation in the province of Campania, divided between the villages of Montefredane (1,600 feet above sea level) and Summonte (2,100 feet), the latter of which surrounds Picariello’s house and winery. The high elevation means the winery can harvest much later than other white varieties, allowing for full, even maturation.

We love Picariello’s entire lineup, but for an introduction to Campanian whites, you can’t do better than this 2021 Falanghina.