# Modestu (NV)

- **Producer:** Azienda Agricola Giovanni Montisci
- **Colour:** orange
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Moscato Bianco, Granazza
- **Region:** Sardegna, Italy
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €54
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–14 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blossom, peach, apricot, orange, fennel, mint, vanilla, cloves, honey, ginger

## About this wine

Crafted by former mechanic turned cult natural winemaker Giovanni Montisci, Modestu is a rare, high-altitude skin-contact white wine from the rugged heart of Sardinia. Located in the mountainous village of Mamoiada at 650 to 700 meters above sea level, Montisci's ancient, bush-trained vines are tended entirely by hand and traditional oxen. The name Modestu (meaning modest) is a playful, self-deprecating nod that contrasts with his bold, flagship red Barrosu (arrogant). This micro-production wine represents a soulful, transparent expression of Sardinian terroir, highly coveted by natural wine enthusiasts globally.

## Interesting facts

- The name Modestu is a humorous contrast to Montisci's flagship red Barrosu, which means arrogant or stubborn.
- Montisci uses traditional oxen instead of tractors to till the soil of his ancient vineyards, preventing soil compaction.
- With fewer than 1,000 bottles produced annually, this skin-contact white is one of Italy's most highly allocated cult wines.

## Food pairing

Modestu's medium-plus body, vibrant high-altitude acidity, and gentle phenolic grip make it an exceptionally versatile partner for rich, textured dishes. The wine's structural weight and subtle tannins easily cut through the fat of roasted pork belly and washed-rind cheeses, while its intense, savory aromatics complement sweet-fleshed seafood like crab and lobster. The distinct granitic minerality and dry profile cleanse the palate, balancing rich sauces and highlighting herbal seasonings.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for Modestu is defined by minimal intervention and traditional methods. Hand-harvested grapes from old vines undergo spontaneous fermentation in 1,000-liter vats using only indigenous yeasts, with no temperature control. The wine undergoes a gentle skin maceration of five to seven days to extract delicate phenolic structure and savory complexity without harshness. Following fermentation, it is aged for five to seven months in neutral French oak barrels. To preserve its natural energy and texture, the wine is bottled completely unfined and unfiltered with only a minimal addition of sulfur at bottling.