This is a particularly unusual Italian white. Wine of the Sea selects wines from European producers and matures the bottles under the Adriatic Sea near Zadar, Croatia, where they remain in darkness at cool, stable temperatures while experiencing pressure and continual gentle movement from the currents. The company says this environment accelerates development and softens the wine.
Tasting Profile
Nose: Ripe pear, yellow apple and peach with citrus, white flowers, herbs and subtle honeyed/nutty notes.
Palate: Rounded and developed, with orchard and stone fruit complemented by saline minerality, almond and herbal nuances. The underwater maturation is intended to accelerate the transition from youthful primary fruit toward more complex secondary and tertiary characteristics.
Finish: Smooth and persistent, with citrus, almond and a distinctive savory-saline character.
Sommelier’s Take
The story is as compelling as the wine. Custoza naturally offers fresh fruit, florals and minerality; the underwater aging adds an unusual maturation element, potentially creating a rounder, more evolved expression. Wine of the Sea bottles are also visually distinctive because marine organisms grow on the exterior while submerged.
