Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone DOC (Italy)
Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone is a white wine from Lake Bolsena region, near Rome.
Grape vines were cultivated here since the Etruscans.
Est! Est!! Est!!! Flavors
Citrus, Green Apple and Peach are typical Est! Est!! Est!!! flavors. Mineral with a slight bitter finish.
 Lime |
 Lemon |
 Apple |
 Pear |
 Peach |
 Flowers |
 Honey |
 Flint |
Est! Est!! Est!!! Profile
Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone is light, dry, and saline:
| SUGAR: | Dry 3g/l |
| BODY: | Light |
| FRUIT: | Medium - Low |
| ACIDITY: | Medium |
| ALCOHOL: | 11-12% ABV |
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Serving temperature: 8-10°C (46-50°F) |
Est! Est!! Est!!! Food Pairing
Est! Est!! Est!!! is great with vegetables and as an aperitif.
 Aperitif |
 Olive Oil |
 Vegetables |
 Tapas |
 Salads |
 Lake Fish |
 Chips |
 Pizza |
Excellent Pairings
Antipasti. Fresh Pasta. Gnocchi.
Pasta with Seafood.
Lake Fish. French Fries.
Fish and Chips.
Roman Specialities
Carciofi alla Romana (Fried Artichoke).
Suppli.
Sbroscia (Lake Fish Soup).
Pasta e Fagioli.
The Ideal Glass for Est! Est!! Est!!!
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A Tulip Shaped Glass with a slightly smaller bowl can be suitable for various dry white wine styles. It guides the wine to the center of your mouth, avoiding the sides where acidity is less pleasant. A smaller bowl also helps to serve smaller quantities, and keep the wine cold. It also helps if you hold the glass by the stem! |
Est! Est!! Est!!! Cheese Pairing
Opt for cheeses with moderate saltiness and creaminess to balance the wine's acidity. You can also add accompaniments like fresh fruits (grapes, apples, pears), nuts (almonds, walnuts), or a light drizzle of honey to enhance the pairing.
Fresh and Mild Cheeses
Mozzarella: Its delicate flavor pairs well with the wine's lightness.
Ricotta: Especially good if served with a drizzle of honey or fresh fruits.
Goat Cheese (Chèvre): The tanginess complements the subtle fruit notes in Est! Est!! Est!!!.
Semi-Soft Cheeses
Fontina: Its nutty, buttery qualities make a good match.
Brie: The creamy texture and mild flavor work beautifully with Est! Est!! Est!!!.
Camembert: Similar to Brie but with slightly more earthiness.
Hard Cheeses
Asiago: Lightly aged Asiago adds a complementary tang to the wine.
Manchego: A classic Spanish pairing, especially younger Manchego, which is less intense.
Gruyère: Mildly nutty and sweet, enhancing the wine's subtlety.
Blue Cheeses (for contrast)
Robiola: Its mild creaminess contrasts nicely without overpowering the wine.
About Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone
Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone is a white blend of Trebbiano and Malvasia Bianca grapes.
The volcanic terroir near Lake Bolsena gives the characteristic Minerality and Salinity.
Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone comes in 4 styles: secco (dry), abboccato (off-dry), amabile (sweet) and spumante (sparkling).
Est! Est!! Est!!! is Latin and it translates into "There is! there is!! there is!!!" from "Mount Wicker Wine Bottle".
The Legend
Legend has it that in 1111 a German bishop called Johannes Defuk was following the expedition of German King Henry V to Rome, where Henry was to be crowned as Holy Roman Emperor.
Defuk had a passion for wine and sent his servant Martinus, a day ahead of him, in search of the best wines.
The two had agreed on a code signal: if Martinus had found good wine in an inn, he would have had to write "Est" (there is), short for "est bonum", or "there is good wine", near the door of the inn.
If the wine was particularly good, he should have written "Est Est".
Once the servant arrived in Montefiascone and tasted the local wine, he noticed its exceptional quality and, to communicate it, he decided to repeat the agreed signal three times and to reinforce the message with six exclamation points: "Est! Est!! Est!!!"
The bishop, having arrived in the village, shared the judgment of Martinus and extended his stay in Montefiascone for three days.
Indeed, at the end of the imperial mission he returned there, stopping until the day of his death (which apparently occurred due to an excess of drinking).
He was buried in the church of San Flaviano, where you can still read, on the gray stone, the inscription: «For too much EST! here my lord Johannes Defuk lies dead.
In gratitude for the hospitality received, the bishop left the citizens of Montefiascone an inheritance of 24,000 scudi coins, on the condition that on each anniversary of his death a wicker wine bottle was poured on the tomb, a tradition that was repeated for several centuries.