Bibi Graetz Testamatta Casamatta Bianco

Description

Bibi Graetz Testamatta Casamatta Bianco is a Tuscan white blend of Vermentino, Trebbiano, and Ansonica at 13% ABV in a 750ml bottle. The 2016 vintage earned 91 points from James Suckling, who praised its bright energy and vivid citrus character a testament to the wine’s consistent quality across releases.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13% | Origin: Southern Tuscany, Italy | Non-Vintage Style Blend | Producer: Bibi Graetz

Production & Heritage

Bibi Graetz, a painter-turned-winemaker, founded his eponymous estate in 2000 and quickly gained international attention for his bold approach to Tuscan winemaking. Casamatta Bianco draws its fruit from vineyards situated between Capalbio and Argentario on the southern Tuscan coast, where maritime influence shapes the character of the grapes. The blend 60% Vermentino, 30% Trebbiano, and 10% Ansonica is hand-picked, destemmed, and soft-pressed using dry ice to preserve aromatics before a two-week fermentation at very low temperatures in stainless steel tanks. After blending, the wine rests for three months in tank before bottling. A distinctive production detail sets Casamatta apart: roughly 5% of the previous vintage is incorporated into each new release, creating a cuve-style continuity that adds depth to an otherwise youthful wine.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with lemon zest and orange blossom, followed by peach flowers and a subtle stony minerality. A thread of green apple carries through, giving the bouquet a clean, coastal freshness.

Taste: On entry, the Vermentino asserts itself with crisp citrus acidity and structured grip. The mid-palate expands into sliced pear and exotic fruit, where the Trebbiano and Ansonica contribute body and roundness. A saline, almost granitic quality emerges at the peak, recalling the wine’s southern coastal origins.

Finish: Medium in length with a vivid, citrus-driven exit and a lingering note of sea salt. The finish stays lean and refreshing, inviting another sip rather than lingering heavily.

How to Drink Casamatta Bianco

Serve well chilled, between 810C (4650F), to let the citrus aromatics and coastal minerality shine. This is an ideal wine to enjoy on its own as an aperitif or alongside lighter fare. In a Spritz, its bright acidity and herbal undercurrent hold up beautifully against sparkling water and a bitter liqueur. It also works in a White Wine Sangria, where its pear and citrus notes pair naturally with sliced stone fruit and fresh herbs. For a simple Hugo cocktail, the floral Ansonica component adds complexity that elderflower syrup amplifies rather than masks.

Best For

• Warm-weather entertaining alongside Mediterranean-inspired dishes
• Introducing Italian white wine lovers to lesser-known coastal Tuscan blends
• Casual weeknight dining with seafood or vegetable-forward meals
• Gifting someone who appreciates artisan-producer wines with a story behind them

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Casamatta Bianco taste like? Casamatta Bianco is a bright, medium-bodied white driven by citrus and green apple from its Vermentino base, with pear and subtle stone-mineral notes adding depth from the Trebbiano and Ansonica components.

How does Casamatta Bianco compare to a straight Vermentino di Toscana? While a single-varietal Vermentino di Toscana typically showcases sharper acidity and a leaner profile, Casamatta Bianco gains added body and roundness from its 30% Trebbiano and 10% Ansonica. The incorporation of 5% of the previous vintage also lends a layered quality not found in most straightforward varietal Vermentinos.

Is Casamatta Bianco good for sipping on its own? Absolutely its balanced acidity, medium body, and clean finish make it an easy-drinking aperitif wine that doesn’t require food to be enjoyed, though it rewards pairing as well.

Where is Casamatta Bianco made? Casamatta Bianco is produced by Bibi Graetz from vineyards located between Capalbio and Argentario on the southern coast of Tuscany, Italy, a warm maritime zone well suited to Vermentino and other coastal white varieties.

What foods pair well with Casamatta Bianco? Grilled branzino or other white fish benefit from its citrus acidity. Fresh burrata with olive oil and basil echoes its creamy mid-palate. Shrimp scampi works well, as the wine’s saline quality complements shellfish. Caprese salad matches the brightness, and light risotto with zucchini or artichoke aligns with the wine’s herbal undertones.

What sizes does Casamatta Bianco come in? Casamatta Bianco is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Casamatta Bianco worth the price? Casamatta Bianco positions as an accessible, entry-level expression within the Bibi Graetz portfolio, offering serious production attention hand-harvesting, dry-ice pressing, low-temperature fermentation at a price point that competes well within the everyday Italian white category.

Why Casamatta Bianco?

What distinguishes Casamatta Bianco from the crowded field of Italian whites is the solera-inspired blending technique of incorporating a portion of the previous vintage, a practice virtually unheard of at this price tier. Bibi Graetz’s background as a visual artist translates into a meticulous, detail-driven winemaking style that treats even his most approachable wines with uncommon care dry-ice pressing and controlled low-temperature fermentation preserve aromatics that cheaper production shortcuts would sacrifice. The 91-point James Suckling score on the 2016 vintage confirms the wine delivers well above its weight class. For anyone seeking a Tuscan white with genuine character and a southern coastal identity, Casamatta Bianco stands as a compelling and consistently well-made choice.