Pecorino DOC WINES

The grape vine known as Pecorino is a white grape variety native to the Marche. It is most commonly found in the Piceno region and owes its peculiar name to the sheep that once grazed the area in which it was grown. The variety was recently rediscovered, after being in danger of extinction because, as many other “indigenous” vines, it had been relegated to ever-shrinking niches by its low productivity and by the limited interest among vintners. Pecorino has been registered in the National catalogue of varieties since 1871: the historical record confirms that it was known in many wine growing areas of central (Umbria, Marche, Abruzzi) and southern (Puglia) Italy. The wine, in its current version, is produced very frequently from the unblended single variety (even though the specification for the DOC allows small percentages of other white grape varieties); this investment has largely paid off. Today, the Pecorino varietal wine is a true oenological success story; its excellent quality earned it the moniker of “red dressed in white.” This wine is able to span the gap between mere wine lovers and true connoisseurs Pecorino has a straw yellow colour with greenish reflections, is spicy in the nose, and has a smooth feel in the mouth; its flavour hints at ripe fruit, Renetta apple, liquorice, and acacia and jasmine blossoms. If all this sounds too complicated, you only need to know that its good finish and pleasant aftertaste make it a versatile and truly surprising wine. It is a suitable accompaniment not only to savoury first courses, fish, and white meats, but also to the cured meats typical of the Ascoli region; among them is the renowned ciauscolo (a typical sausage of a spreadable consistency.) It is also a good match for the similar dishes of the national gastronomic tradition and beyond: a limitless range of pairings to be experimented with.