Tiberio Pecorino

Pecorino is one of those old Italian grape varieties that very nearly disappeared. A low-yielding grape from the hills of Abruzzo and the Marche, farmers gradually abandoned it in favor of more productive varieties, and by the 1970s it was nearly extinct. The Tiberio family discovered five surviving Pecorino mother vines on their property in 1999 and began propagating them, eventually building one of the most important estates for the variety. Today, Tiberio is arguably the benchmark producer for Pecorino, making a wine that shows just how distinctive and age-worthy this grape can be.

The Tiberio Pecorino is wonderfully aromatic, with sage, rosemary, green fig, peach, yellow melon, and a little citrus peel. It has plenty of texture and body, but the thing that makes it really sing is the acidity and minerality running right through it. There is a savory, almost salty quality on the palate, with ripe orchard fruit and fresh herbs followed by a long, stony finish. It is a serious white wine that still has plenty of energy and freshness, and one of the best examples of Pecorino you will find.