Cantina Indigeno Bianco Folk 2018

Bianco Folk is a skin-contact white from Cantina Indigeno, a producer based in Montorio al Vomano in the Teramo hills of Abruzzo. The wine blends three indigenous grapes: Trebbiano, Pecorino, and Montonico. Montonico is a rare aromatic variety that nearly disappeared from Abruzzo and has seen renewed interest among natural producers in the region only in recent years.

The grapes are grown organically at elevation in the Teramo province, on calcareous clay and limestone soils. Fermentation is spontaneous with native yeasts, with skin contact that imparts a slight tannic grip and additional aromatic complexity. No temperature control, no fining, no filtration, and no added sulfites.

After fermentation, the wine is aged in stainless steel, which preserves the freshness and primary fruit character. The result sits at 10.5% ABV, on the lighter end of the spectrum, with lifted aromatics, bright acidity, and a gentle texture from the maceration.

The 2018 vintage was the winery's third, produced from a combination of rented old vineyards and newly acquired parcels. At around 25,000 bottles total across their range that year, Cantina Indigeno was already exporting primarily to the United States and Japan.