Good morning all,

Simon’s Wine of the Week is Tor del Colle Pecorino 

Let’s get one thing out of the way, this is not cheese. Yep, the grape is called Pecorino. Yes, that is also a famous Italian cheese. But there’s nothing cheesy about this wine. It gets its name because according to legend the sheep (Pecora in Italian) used to graze on the grapes as they moved between high and low pasture in autumn. Whilst it is little known as a grape, it is definitely worth checking out.

What’s really interesting about the grape is its history, because without the efforts of one man back in the 70s, Pecorino would have become extinct. Step forward Guido Cocci Grifino, renowned winemaker of The Marches (the bit of Italy behind the knee). Unhappy with the wine made from the widely planted Verdicchio grape he started looking for local grape varieties that would thrive in the mountains. Whilst researching he came across tales of a grape that would fully ripen at altitude. Its name was Pecorino.

His research led him to a virtually abandoned vineyard high on the slopes, where the last of the Pecorino survived. He took some cuttings and planted them in his own vineyards, making the first wine in 1981. Since then, the grape has slowly been gaining a cult following with more and more plantings in The Marches and Abruzzo.

The Tor del Colle Pecorino is made in the Terre di Chieti region in the centre of the Abruzzo region south of The Marches. It’s a lovely wine that has beautiful notes of blossom, acacia and peach on the nose. The palate has a lovely soft texture with bright pear and lemon fruit supported by riper apricot and peach notes. The finish is long and expressive with a hint of minerality.

I’m sure it will come as no surprise that this wine will pair amazingly with Pecorino cheese, but I’m a big fan with goat’s cheese too. It is fantastic on its own as an aperitif, or with a variety of pasta dishes, not least a leafy green sauce using spinach or kale.

Have a great week all,

Simon