Author: Dirk Chan
Our online feature this week is the 2020 Colle Corviano Pecorino (Abruzzi, Italy) – $17.99, regularly $22.99.
The Abruzzo region needs to be discovered: Intact and unknown, it offers unique characteristics blending Nature, Art and History. Firstly Nature: The Sea, the beaches, the mountains and national parks position the region on the pinnacle for green vacationing, retirement destinations.
Located only 2.5 hours NE of Rome and 300m above sea level, Colle Corviano has been growing grapes there since 1973. Each of the 15 hectares in total are divided into estate-vineyard blocks and are vinified individually and traced throughout the production process. Each vineyard block has been farmed based on the accumulated knowledge of soil profile and chemistry, aspect (orientation to the sun), slope (vertical degree impacting potential for drainage), and overall climate.
Not to be confused with the popular cheese by the same name (although they make a great pairing with the saltiness and nuttiness.) Pecorino is a light-skinned wine grape used in Italy‘s eastern coastal regions, particularly in the wine region of Abruzzo. Cultivated for hundreds of years, its low yields saw it replaced by more-productive grape varieties like Trebbiano until almost extinct. Now there’s a conscientious rebirth going on and that is a very good thing – we love Pecorino. The grape is so called supposedly because it was a favorite treat for flocks of sheep driven to lower pastures.
The Colle Corviano Pecorino is a brilliant pale straw in color then opens up with a bouquet of white pulp fruit. On the palate, explosive flavors of ripe pear, Renetta apples, Ginestra flowers and jasmine. On the palate, gentle and refreshing acidity. Try this with grilled fish, vegetable tempura, oysters. You’ll want to have multiple bottles hanging around.
2020 Colle Corviano Pecorino (Abruzzi, Italy) – $17.99 (regularly $22.99)