Falanghina is a dry, medium-bodied Italian white grape varietal. Oliver’s Taranga has just launched it’s first release, one of a select few plantings in Australia! Discover all you need to know about this exciting variety.
What is Falanghina?
Never heard of Falanghina? Pronounced Fah-Lahn-Gee-Nah, this is a white wine varietal that’s native to the spectacular Campania region of southern Italy. There, you’ll find some of Italy’s most famous destinations, including Naples, the Amalfi Coast and the ruins of Pompeii, to name a few. This region is also the birthplace of pizza, so it’s no surprise it’s home to approachable, food-friendly wines. That’s where Falanghina comes in. This dry, medium-bodied white wine is an excellent all-rounder for so many different occasions and dishes – and yes, that includes pizza.
As noted by Chalmers wines, the name Falanghina is said to derive from the Latin for phalanx: falangae, “From the resemblance of poles used to support the vines in the vineyard to the typical military formation of the Roman legions, made up of many phalanzes of men (D’Agata 2014).
Oliver’s Taranga has recently started experimenting with this beautiful white grape, which we’ve planted in our McLaren Vale vineyards. It’s been an incredible wine to work with, and we’re now planning for the first vintage release with our 2024 Falanghina. Read on to learn all about this delicious varietal.
The story of Falanghina in Australia
The Falanghina variety – AKA Falanghina Beneventana – was imported into Australia by the Chalmers family, one of the country’s pioneer vine growers. The mother rows were planted in 2015 and 2016 at the Chalmers Merbein Vineyard in the Murray Darling region. The Chalmers have a long history of importing, trialling, producing and supplying Italian grape varieties, and they are responsible for some of the most exciting, climate-appropriate wines that now thrive here in Australia. Our Falanghina vines came from the Chalmers Nursery.
This variety has fast found a very happy home in our warm, growing conditions. It’s a vigorous variety, adaptable to diverse terrain. We’re thrilled to be rolling out our inaugural release with the 2024 vintage. We expect that it will be a varietal we’ll see more of in future years as others discover the flavours and versatility of this beautiful Italian varietal.
What does Falanghina wine taste like?
As Campania’s signature white, Falanghina is a zesty wine with mineral notes, citrus flavours and sometimes also a nutty character. It’s complex yet approachable, fragrant and racy, and often quite savoury, too, which further adds to its appeal. Expect good acidity and structure from this wine, which will stand up to a variety of dishes, but Falanghina also works well on its own as an aperitif.
What wine is Falanghina similar to?
Falanghina has its own distinctive style, but with its citrus flavours, balanced acidity, savoury notes and good dose of minerality, some comparisons with other white wines can still be made. For those who usually reach for Fiano or Chardonnay, Falanghina is an excellent substitute, especially if your tastes land somewhere between the buttery and leaner styles. Richer Falanghina wines have a little more in common with the likes of France’s Roussanne, and if you enjoy the brightness and texture of other Italian whites such as Soave and Pinot Grigio, Falanghina could well become a new favourite.
Are Falanghina wines dry?
Falanghina is traditionally a dry white wine, but you can still expect an aromatic style with a lovely hit of fruit sweetness. With flavours from citrus to stone fruit, Falanghina is a lively wine that finishes dry. This is helped by the grape variety’s inherent minerality and acidity, which also works to lift the body and structure of the wine.
What pairs with Falanghina?
Keen to discover the best food matches for Falanghina? The good news is you can’t go too wrong. This wine is a seafood-lover’s dream – dishes that showcase prawns, fish and scallops are prime picks to serve alongside a chilled glass of Falanghina. It will also stand up to richer dishes with stronger flavours, including curries, roast chicken and pastas. And considering Falanghina’s region of origin, this might just be the ultimate white wine for pizza.
Discover Oliver’s Taranga Falanghina
Just two years since planting this resilient variety, we’ve seen Falanghina thrive in our backyard here in McLaren Vale. A grape that truly loves our Mediterranean climate, Falanghina has flourished in this short time, and we’re excited to introduce our debut release to you!
Cheers, Corrina, Brioni, Sam & the OT Team
Want to learn more about other wine varietals? Read on to explore some of our varietal features.