Marche, Italy
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi
Take a trip through Italy and it quickly dawns on you that there's 2 white grapes capturing the attention of locals: Passerina and Verdicchio. Loved for their freshness, unique qualities and easy-drinking styles, these 2 grapes come from provinces bordering each other along the Adriatic coast.
This fresh Verdicchio from Stefano Antonucci comes from his entry-level line but compares so well to wines in the next price bracket up. The color is pale and the aromatics are delicate, lightly floral and full of fresh white fruits. On the palate, there's pulpy white nectarine, fresh pear, blossoming white flowers, bittersweet shaved almond and a hint of salinity. In contrast to the delicate aromatics, the body is a little richer and broader but anchored by zippy acidity and good length.
Enjoy with fish, shellfish or cheeses that originate from Central Italy.