Ancarani Albana secco Santa Lusa 2022

Ancarani Albana Secco Santa Lusa 2022 is a characterful white from Emilia-Romagna that showcases just how exciting the Albana grape can be in skilled hands. Dry, textured and gently aromatic, it balances a sun-kissed Italian personality with a refined, almost mineral backbone. This is a wine for those who enjoy distinctive, terroir-driven whites rather than something generic and anonymous. The Santa Lusa bottling is Ancarani’s flagship dry Albana, highlighting old vines and a particularly prized single site. Albana holds the distinction of being Italy’s first white variety to receive DOCG status, and producers like Ancarani have been key in restoring its reputation. Santa Lusa 2022 captures both the ancient heritage of the grape and the modern precision of thoughtful, artisanal winemaking.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Ancarani Albana Secco Santa Lusa 2022 typically shows a deep straw to light golden colour, with a glossy, almost honeyed hue that hints at its natural richness. Swirl the glass and you’ll notice good viscosity, suggesting both concentration and texture. The nose is expressive yet refined: ripe yellow plum, apricot and golden apple, followed by notes of chamomile, wild herbs and a subtle saline edge. With air, you may also pick up hints of citrus peel, almond and a delicate floral tone reminiscent of acacia or broom blossom. On the palate, this is a dry, structured Albana with more grip and personality than many Italian whites. Expect flavours of stone fruit, quince and citrus, layered with savoury herbal notes and a gentle bitter-almond twist on the finish—very typical of the variety. The texture is rounded and slightly waxy, cut by fresh acidity and a clean, stony minerality that keeps the wine focused. The finish is long and persistent, with lingering notes of citrus zest and dried flowers. Enjoyed now, Santa Lusa 2022 is vibrant and complete, but Albana’s natural structure means it can age gracefully for several years. Over 3–5 years from the vintage, it is likely to gain more honeyed, nutty complexity while retaining its backbone, making it an interesting candidate for short- to mid-term cellaring.

Production
Santa Lusa comes from Ancarani’s vineyards in the gently rolling hills of Emilia-Romagna, where Albana has grown for centuries on clay- and calcareous-rich soils. These soils, combined with good exposure and breezes from the nearby Apennines, help deliver ripe, flavourful grapes while preserving freshness. The estate works with low yields and careful vineyard management, typically harvesting Albana by hand at optimal ripeness to ensure healthy, concentrated fruit. In the cellar, Ancarani favours a relatively traditional, minimal-intervention approach to bring out the grape and the site. The fruit is usually gently pressed, with temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel or neutral vessels to preserve aromatics and avoid overt oak influence. A period on fine lees adds texture, complexity and a subtle creaminess without masking the wine’s natural minerality. The result is a dry Albana that is both authentic to its origins and precise in its execution.

Food & Serving
Ancarani Albana Secco Santa Lusa 2022 is an excellent partner for the robust yet nuanced cuisine of Emilia-Romagna and beyond. It pairs beautifully with cured meats like prosciutto di Parma, mortadella and culatello, as well as semi-aged cheeses and pecorino. Its structure and gentle bitterness make it a superb match for rich pasta dishes—think tortellini in brodo, tagliatelle al ragù bianco or lasagne with béchamel—along with seafood such as grilled prawns, baked fish, fritto misto and seafood risotto. It also works well with roasted poultry, pork loin and vegetable dishes featuring fennel, artichokes or mushrooms. Serve at around 10–12°C to highlight both its freshness and its texture. A short decant of 15–20 minutes, or at least a good swirl in the glass, can help the aromatics open up, especially if the wine is served on the cooler side. Use a medium-sized white wine glass to allow the bouquet and structure to fully express themselves.

Producer
Ancarani is a small, quality-focused producer based in Emilia-Romagna, in the historic heartland of the Albana grape. The estate has built a strong reputation for championing local varieties and traditional practices, with a particular emphasis on honest, terroir-driven wines that reflect their rural origins. Working mostly with hillside vineyards and modest yields, Ancarani has become one of the names to know for serious Albana, both in dry (secco) and other styles. In a region better known internationally for its food than its wine, Ancarani stands out as part of a new wave of growers putting Emilia-Romagna’s native grapes back on the map. Their commitment to respectful farming, careful hand-harvesting and thoughtful, low-intervention vinification has earned them a loyal following among sommeliers and enthusiasts seeking authentic Italian whites with character and depth. Santa Lusa is one of their signature expressions and a fine introduction to the potential of Albana in the right hands.

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