The 2010 Fiano di Avellino explodes from the glass with a rush of smoke, earthiness, cured meats and ash. It is a deep, powerful Fiano that needs to be served with food to be fully appreciated. The Fiano has elements of unrestrained wildness that will be most appreciated in the right context. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300,Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; tel. (415) 492-9411, Giuliana Imports, Boulder CO; tel. (303) 547-6343, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; tel. (630) 422-1119

Ferrara’s 2009 Fiano di Avellino offers a fairly rich, textured expression of varietal fruit in a round, enveloping style, with generous ripe apricots, flowers and subtle layers of earthiness. This is a gorgeous white from Ferrara. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2013. These are the finest wines I have tasted from Benito Ferrara. The whites in particular seem to have found a balance that was often missing in the past. Readers should note that I tasted Ferrara’s whites from tank prior to bottling, while the reds were tasted from bottle. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; (415) 492-9411, Giuliana Imports, Boulder CO; (303) 547-6343, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; (630) 422-1119