Description

With his Altru Biancu cuvée (the ‘other white’), Yves Leccia is bringing the Biancu Gentile back into the spotlight, a native grape variety that had been forgotten for many years. This is a wine that is both generous and bursting with energy. Its pale yellow colour is luminous and brilliant. The nose is very expressive, with notes of white flowers and honey. On the palate, it is fresh, rich and mineral, with a taut finish. 

In the vineyard, in the cellar

• GRAPE VARIETIES: 100% Biancu Gentile
• GEOLOGY: Partinelone vineyard. Clay-limestone soil over a schist base.
• CULTIVATION METHOD: Organic farming, traditional tillage, organic fertilisers.
• YIELD: 40 hl/ha
• HARVEST: Manual, with selection of bunches; they must be healthy and ripe
• PLANTING DENSITY: 4,000 vines per hectare
• VINIFICATION: Whole-bunch pressing. Cold settling at 8°C for 24 hours, fining on must.
• FERMENTATION: In temperature-controlled stainless steel vats at 18°C, for approximately 15 to 20 days. No malolactic fermentation.
• AGEING: 6 months in stainless steel vats on fine lees

Are you familiar with the Biancu Gentile grape variety?

Identification: Biancu Gentile is an indigenous Vitis vinifera grape variety found in Corsica, mainly in the Sartène region. It is listed in the Official Catalogue of Wine Grape Varieties,

List A, and is classified.

Description: Large, cylindrical-conical, winged bunches, more or less compact; medium-sized, rounded berries, greenish-white to pale yellow or even amber on the side exposed to the sun and at full ripeness. The foliage of Biancu Gentile is a very characteristic dark green.

Production characteristics

Early budbreak, almost like Chasselas. It is very vigorous and, in most cases, moderately productive. Highly susceptible to powdery mildew and grey rot, and slightly less so to downy mildew. Also susceptible to mites. Ripens in the late second ripening period.

Tasting notes: Biancu Gentile produces a full-bodied, luminous and brilliant wine, with a beautiful pale yellow colour, very aromatic, balanced and pleasant to drink, though it can sometimes lack acidity – which is not the case with this YL white cuvée from the Yves Leccia estate. Aromas of candied citrus, white flowers, passion fruit, honey (notes of), … .

(Source : Les cépages)

What to eat with an Altru Biancu from Yves Leccia?

• As an aperitif
• Grilled fish or fish in a light sauce
• Cheeses