Very Rare and Very Tasty: Punta Crena Lumassina

I had a glass of this with some briny oysters at 167 Raw in Charleston a few months back. It was Heaven on Earth, and for the first time in a long time, I came across a wine I didn't know and that I'd never had. I'm glad I did!

Lumassina is a very rare grape that only grows in a few coastal zones in Liguria. Punta Crena is one of the top producers of this unique grape, and thank God for importers like Kermit Lynch for bringing lesser-known wines like this one to the US. 

Despite being light in body and slightly spritzy, Punta Crena's Lumassina packs some serious aroma and flavor. White wine adventurers, you've got to try this! Just 7 cases up for grabs.

 2022 Punta Crena Lumassina

A delicious but very rare Ligurian specialty! 

ORDER NOW in our online store. 

I know the weather is getting cooler and Lumassina is ideal for warm and sunny days and fresh seafood, but I don't have any control over when delicious wines come in. All I can say is that this wine moved me, stirred me, and inspired me, and it will do the same for you.

Ian d'Agata wrote The Native Wine Grapes of Italy, the seminal one on Italian varietals. He says of Lumassina: "Confined to the Riviera di Ponente of Liguria, Lumassina serves its place of origin well with lightness, delicate fruit and low alcohol — just the thing for seafood pasta and ocean-front breezes in the sun."

I like his description, but it still makes the wine sound simple, and it's actually not at all simple. It smells and tastes of sun-kissed lemon, green apple, sea breeze, and mineral, and what it lacks in body, and it makes up for in charm. At just 11% ABV but fermented completely dry, it's so fresh, so lively, and I just want a big plate of fritto misto served alongside an ice cold glass of it.

Whatever you all don't buy, myself and my team will :). For those who want to be transported to  beautiful, sunny, coastal Liguria, this is the wine for you. Just 84 bottles up for grabs, and that is all we'll get this year.