2017 Ferzo Pecorino Terre di Chieti ($26)

This wine from Ferzo is 100% Pecorino that is grown in the foothills of central Italy’s Abruzzo region in the Terre di Chieti IGT. The Indicazione Geografica Tipica is a relatively new wine classification introduced in 1992 as part of a general reorganization of the D.O.C. (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) Italian wine law.

If you are not familiar with this grape it may be because by the mid-20th Century, it was thought to be extinct. That is, until the 1980s, when a local Italian producer began researching native varieties in an overgrown vineyard. Having been ‘rediscovered', cuttings of Pecorino were taken and propagated, and are now once again growing enough grapes to make some very good wine.

This Pecorino from Ferzo has a wonderful sweet floral bouquet to go along with tropical fruit aromas. Flavors of green apple and pear go along with a waxy mouth-feel that leads to mouthwatering acidity on the finish.

All of these amazing flavors are preserved through cold-soaking on the skins for seven hours then undergoing 10-12 days of fermentation in stainless steel tanks. It is then aged three months in stainless steel tanks before bottling.

This is a really nice, crisp, refreshing wine that is very enjoyable to drink. If you haven’t ever heard of Pecorino or tried it, you need to find this one and give it a try. It’s really good and another great value featured here as a Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week. Enjoy!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Donna White of Donna White Communications