Cantine Benvenuto 'Mare' Bianco Calabria IGT, Italy

The 2024 Cantine Benvenuto ‘Mare’ Bianco Calabria IGT is a vibrant portrait of Calabria’s coastal vitality and native grape heritage. Sourced from organically farmed, 25-year-old vines perched 350 meters above sea level within the Serre Regional Park, this white blend of Malvasia and Zibibbo channels the region’s wild aromatics and sunlit freshness. The estate’s meticulous vineyard and cellar practices, including spontaneous fermentation, lees aging, and bottling without fining or filtration, ensure purity and complexity. With multiple silver medals at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in recent vintages, Mare stands among the most acclaimed white wines of its region.

Product Details

• Grapes: 50% Malvasia, 50% Zibibbo
• Alcohol: 14.0% ABV
• Farming: Certified organic
• Altitude: 350 meters
• Soil Type: Clay-limestone over granite
• Harvest: Hand-harvested, second to third week of September
• Fermentation: Native yeast; spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel at ~59°F
• Aging: On fine lees with regular bâtonnage in stainless steel
• Fining/Filtration: None
• Closure: Natural cork

Sensory Description:

Brilliant straw yellow with greenish reflections, the 2024 Mare opens with a kaleidoscope of exotic fruit, elderflower, and aromatic herbs. Zibibbo lends its hallmark perfume of pink grapefruit, lychee, and thyme, while Malvasia offers structural finesse and lift. On the palate, the wine bursts with energy, juicy and saline with layers of white melon, peach skin, and a touch of seashell minerality. The texture is polished and mouthwatering, finishing long with citrus zest and herbal brightness that reflect both its terroir and varietal character.

Winemaker’s Background:

Cantine Benvenuto is a family estate in Francavilla Angitola, where Rocco Benvenuto stewards both land and legacy. Deeply committed to organic viticulture and native Calabrian grapes, the estate farms steep, terraced vineyards carved from granite bedrock within a protected regional park. In the cellar, minimal intervention and spontaneous fermentations preserve the natural identity of each wine. Mare is part of the “Terre del Mare” line, crafted to mirror the region’s maritime pulse through elegant, expressive white wines.

Serving Suggestions
Serve slightly chilled at around 59°F to showcase the wine’s aromatic vibrancy and textural richness. An ideal aperitif, it also shines alongside grilled prawns with citrus, sarde salate, or spaghetti alle vongole. Its herbal lift pairs beautifully with thyme-roasted chicken, while its clean finish cuts through the creaminess of burrata or aged hard cheeses like Pecorino Crotonese.