Delibori Lugana 2014
When I first started my adventures into wine here in Turkey I refused to buy imported wines like this Delibori Lugana. Because alcohol taxes here aren’t high enough; the Turkish Government also levies very high import taxes. So a wine that might cost five Euros in Europe will cost three-four times that here.
However my attitude towards imported wines has slowly changed. They’re still outrageously over priced; don’t get me wrong! But with the falling value of the Turkish Lira and given the high prices I pay for many Turkish wines I find that I’m more willing to buy imports these days.
This Delibori Lugana I found at the Metro shopping center. I had heard stories of this place which resembles an American Costco but had never been. Wine of course is not available at quite the bulk/discount that it would be at a Costco but the selection can at least be
diverse.
Lugana is not a grape but an area in Italy; specifically in the Veneto near Lake Garda. Lugana was registered as a DOC (denominazione di origne controllata) in 1967. According to the DOC production rules, a wine can be labelled Lugana if produced with at least 90% of Trebbiano di Lugana (Turbiana) grapes grown in the registered Lugana wine producing area. These are some of my favorite Italian white wines.
Delibori Lugana 2014 Tasting Notes
The Delibori Lugana is a blend of the required Turbiana and Chardonnay. At 12% abv it also follows the Lugana DOC regulations that alcohol not be below 10.5%.
In the glass it is a medium, bright yellow. The nose is equally citrus and floral with white flowers and honeysuckle. On the palate the acid feels low giving the wine a silky feeling. The finish is sort but the wine is very flavorful with citrus (lemon and lemon peel), flowers (again honeysuckle), and mineral.