La Mozza, Costa Toscana Mammolo

Kudos to the Tuscan winery La Mozza for saying so much about the wine in this bottle just by the color selection for the label: According to experts, the Mammolo grape takes its name from viola mammola (“violet”), and there are both visual and aromatic markers in the wine that explain why. Thought to be native to the Tuscan coast, and found on the island of Corsica (where it is known as Sciaccarellu) as well, the variety, according to Native Wine Grapes of Italy author Ian D’Agata, “…is found nowhere else in Italy but Tuscany, and even in this region less than 100 hectares are planted.” Although it is mostly known as a blending grape, La Mozza felt the results they were getting with it merited a “varietal” showcase bottling—and we’re so glad they did! Historically, the Maremma encompassed a stretch of coastline running from Pisa, in Tuscany, all the way down to Rome. The areas closest to the coast were dominated by wetlands, but following the First World War most of these were drained