Fiano

Fiano is one of southern Italy's important white grapes, with its best known expression in Fiano di Avellino from the hills of Campania. It can combine ripe fruit with a savoury, nutty or smoky dimension, giving a white wine that feels substantial without depending on obvious oak flavour. That balance distinguishes it from a simple summer refresher.

The place and the producer matter. A youthful, directly made Fiano may lead with fruit and flowers, while a more ambitious bottle can gain complexity with time before release or further bottle age. The grape has a serious reputation for developing in the cellar, but that is not a promise that every inexpensive varietal wine needs keeping.

At the table, use its breadth with roast chicken, richer fish, mushroom dishes or a vegetable risotto. Avoid serving it straight from the coldest part of the fridge: a little warmth helps its texture and quieter aromas become clear. If buying an older bottle, choose a producer who states that the wine was made and stored for ageing.