Ciro Picariello has quickly become one of the star producers of Fiano di Avellino. He and his wife started their winery back in 1997, but their first vintage under their label was not until 2004. Their 12 hectares of vineyards are located at a relatively high elevation in the province of Campania, divided between the villages of Montefredane (1,600 feet above sea level) and Summonte (2,100 feet).

Ciro’s entry-level Etna Bianco and Rosso both bear the name ‘Outis’. This is not a vineyard name, but rather a clever allusion to the mythos of Sicily. In Homer’s epic, The Odyssey, Odysseus and his crew are at one-point ship-wrecked on an island inhabited by cyclops. The crew is captured by one of these creatures, and in order to free them, Odysseus blinds the cyclops in his sleep. While stumbling around blind, the Cyclops asks, “who his attacker was?”. Odyssey replied, “Outis,” which translates to ‘no one’. As the blind cyclops tried to convince his cohort that he was blinded by ‘Outis’, Odyssey and his crew were able to escape the island, which is thought to have been Sicily.

Biondi’s Outis Bianco is primarily Carricante, an intriguing white indigenous grape variety with a distinctive stony minerality. It is blended here with several other more aromatic local varieties, including Minella, Malvasia, Catarrato and Moscatello dell'Etna (unblended Carricante can be almost too lean and minerally).

The combination of bright acidity and minerality from the Carricante with the complex aromatic notes from the other varieties come together harmoniously in the glass. Bright pale straw color in the glass, with aromas of wet stones, with hints of flowers, peach, apricot and herbs. A very flavorful palate impression with lively balancing acidity.

Organic Farming