Fuso Le Salse Verdicchio

Fuso Le Salse Verdicchio is a white wine from Massachusetts, listed under the producer name Esplanda. The name points to Verdicchio, a grape known for crisp, mineral-leaning whites, while the catalog category files it under Chardonnay. The bottle's label is the final word on the grape. Tasting details beyond the origin and producer are not published for this bottle, so what follows describes what the styles involved usually deliver, not a measured profile. If this is a Verdicchio-style white, expect a dry, medium-bodied wine with high acidity. Typical flavors are lemon peel, green apple, white peach and sometimes almond or a light herbal edge, with a clean, slightly saline finish. Tannin is negligible, and oak is usually absent or very light. If it leans toward Chardonnay, expect more weight and a rounder texture. That could mean orchard and stone fruit, perhaps some creamy or toasty notes if oak or lees contact was used, and a softer acid line. Serve it between 8 and 11°C (46 to 52°F). Colder than that will mute the aromatics, and warmer will make the wine seem flabby. Decanting is not needed, though a few minutes in the glass helps if it has been chilled hard. A standard white wine glass with a moderate bowl works well. A Chardonnay-style glass is a reasonable choice if the wine shows more body or oak. At the table, a bright, high-acid white like this suits shellfish, grilled or pan-roasted white fish, fried calamari, and lemon-dressed salads. It also works with risotto, light pasta dishes with olive oil and herbs, and soft goat cheese. A fuller, oaked Chardonnay profile would also handle roast chicken, lobster with butter, and mild cream sauces. Most bottles in this category are made to be drunk young, within a couple of years of release, while the fruit and acidity are at their liveliest. Unless the producer indicates otherwise, treat this as a drink-now wine, not one to cellar.