2014 Donatello Jasci Pecorino ‘Atteso’

Region: Terre di Chieti < Marche < Italy
Grapes: Pecorino
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified organic in the vineyard and winery, practicing biodynamics, red clay soils, 600m elevation, 40-year old vines, hand harvested, stainless steel ferment, minimal added SO2 at bottling
Winemaker: Donatello Jasci

Donatello Jasci is the third generation of his family to farm their vines and make wine, and the second to work organically, and the first to move towards biodynamics. His mother and father began conversion in the 1970’s when they realized that vineyard treatments were making her ill, making them one of the first in Italy to convert. Pecorino, native to Abruzzo, is a historically unloved grape, and many domaines ripped out their vines. But the Jascis left theirs, believing in the potential of Pecorino, and now have some of the oldest vines around. And with only one acre of Pecorino total, their production is miniscule, and gorgeous, like liquid gold, which is what it looks like when you pour it in your glass. Bright yellow with hints of golden apple and lemon curd, this wine has body, saltiness and freshness, and a lovely finish of white nectarine and almonds. An excellent and versatile food wine.