Nino Negri – Bianco Ca’Brione – 2019

Nino Negri has anchored Valtellina winemaking since 1897, and Ca’ Brione is the house’s lone white: an alpine blend of 35% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Chardonnay, 20% Chiavennasca (the local Nebbiolo, pressed white) and 15% Incrocio Manzoni from terraced mountain vineyards around Sondrio. It ferments in French barriques at cool cellar temperature, then rests on the lees with weekly batonnage until spring. A serious Lombard white with texture and cut, for the drinker who has done the Sancerre-and-Chablis loop and wants something genuinely new.