Wine
Italian Essence - The Flavour Delights That Define Mitolo Wines
The story of wine is one that unfolds through time and across continents. For Mitolo Wines it's an intergenerational journey stretching from Abruzzo, Italy, to the soils of McLaren Vale, where quintessentially Italian flavours have been lovingly preserved, transported, and presented anew in a uniquely Australian context: in both food and wine.
Mitolo winemaker Luke Mallaby describes how Italian varietals make up over half of the winery's portfolio today. "And rightly so!" he says. "These varietals are superbly suited to McLaren Vale's warm maritime climate, with sun filled days and cool sea breezes helping to retain freshness and vibrancy in our wines."
For Mallaby, one key thing people should know about the Italian varietals that Mitolo specialise in is just how well they match with food. "Italian reds like our Scylla Nero d'Avola and Cinquecento Sangiovese are beautifully light-to.medium-bodied with outstanding savoury tones, vibrant red fruits and stunning aromatics," says Mallaby. "Italian whites like Vermentino and Pecorino shine on warm days with seafood and fresh herbs, as their citrus and stonefruit notes, savoury nuances and crisp acidity elevate all things Mediterranean."
MCLAREN VALE AND THE MITOLO MAGIC
Wood-fired pizza at two of Mitolo's distinct dining destinations: Little Wolf Osteria, and Frankie Italo Dining and Disco Lounge.
Mallaby points to the complex geology and topography of McLaren Vale as a major driver of such distinct and diverse flavour profiles. "Our Cinquecento Sangiovese is grown on black Biscay soil with fine, almost powdered limestone throughout," he says. "This soil amplifies savoury finesse and brightness of fruit in Sangiovese."
Meanwhile, Mitolo whites like Pecorino or Glera (the source grape for Prosecco) reside on grey, sandy clay, a softer substrate that is gentler on the vine and allows for greater canopy growth. The intensity of the sun is mitigated, protecting and retaining the grape's delicate fruit and floral characteristics. Mallaby reflects on one of the key differences between Australian and Italian expressions of these increasingly popular varietals.
"I always find a more primary fruit expression from the local offerings, while the Italians lean more into savouriness and occasionally dryer tannin," he observes. "With our wines we see a balance of these aspects, taking inspiration from each variety's homeland, and aiming to create wines with interest and individuality, culinary compatibility, succulence of acidity and savouriness matched to pure fruit."
Naturally, the best way to put these observations to the test is at Mitolo's two distinct dining destinations: Little Wolf Osteria, and Frankie Italo Dining and Disco Lounge. Each offers its own take on Mediterannean.style dining, with Frankie's the more relaxed offering of the two. Mallaby describes his present favourites in typically mouth-watering fashion. "At Little Wolf, I'm currently loving the salsiccia wood-fired Italian pork sausage matched with our Cinquecento Sangiovese - the touch of fennel and spice marries perfectly with the wine's savoury flavours and spicy tannins."
Fiorentina steak and the savoury, dark-fruited power of the Mitolo Savitar Shiraz is another Little Wolf winner. At Frankie's, meanwhile, Mallaby is hard-pressed to go past house-made gamberi, 'nduja and basil pizza with the bright aromatics and layered savoury subtleties of the Scylla Nero d'Avola. "I feel the word is getting out now," says Mallaby of the extraordinary scope for flavour exploration available with Italian varietals such as those Mitolo specialise in.
"But I want more people to realise how delicious these wines are, and how well they match with food.' One visit to Mitolo would surely dispel any doubt of that. Here is the essence of Italian hospitality, expressed in quintessentially Australian fashion: great flavours and fantastic company, made generous, accessible, welcoming, and memorable.
Visiting McLaren Vale? Don't miss a visit to Mitolo. Discover its fabulous flavours at mitolowines.com.au