Fosso degli Angeli "Ammusciat" Beneventano Passito '19

Last year I traveled to Campania for the first time to meet with small producers through this vast region. One of the best visits I had was to a small family farm in the Sannio district within the province of Benevento. There I met Marenza Pengue of Fosso degli Angeli. Along with her sister Dina and brother in-law Pasquale, they farm 7 hectares of vineyards and 10 hectares of olives. All farmed organically, the vineyards are mostly on calcareous clay soils at an average height of about 450 meters above sea level.

Sannio is a lesser known subregion, but produces the classic varietals of the region, including Falanghina, Greco, Fiano, and Aglianico. Fosso degli Angeli produces the full range, yet they also have a couple of specialities that are truly their own.

This dessert wine is a blend of equal parts Moscato Bianco and Falanghina, grapes that were dried on wooden racks to concentrate the sugars. The wine is fermented and aged in tank. Beautiful honeyed notes, orange blossom, lemon peel and a balanced attack. Just 2000 half-bottles are produced each year.