Roero Arneis -- one of Italy's greatest overlooked whites!
First-time visitors to the Piemonte in Italy are usually keen on the hunt for the region’s famous reds: Barolo, Barbaresco, and Barbera. It can come as quite a surprise that the area also sports a wide variety of tasty whites. Arneis from the Roero DOCG is one of those delicious off-the-radar whites you need to explore.
Roero DOCG
Roero is a small wine-producing region touching on the north-western border of Barbaresco. The sandy, siliceous soil of the region’s gently rolling hills is distinctly different from surrounding neighbors, and some feel it’s perfectly suited to the production of white wine, Arneis in particular.
Hundreds of millennia in the past, this region formed part of an ancient sea known as the Golfo Padano, depositing remnants of shellfish and sea creatures rich in minerals. It’s not uncommon for one to easily find shells while walking through the vineyards!
Marco Bonfante
Marco Bonfante is the 8th generation in his family to produce wines in the Piemonte. Like most winemakers of his generation, he is firmly rooted in his family’s tradition and works with a passionate respect for the land. He chooses not to certify organic, however; he totally avoids pesticides and chemical fertilizers. His approach in the winery is a marriage of tradition and cutting edge technology, allowing him to produce very fresh wines that retain full fruit character and brightness.
In the glass, you’ll quickly realize this exclusive AWM Selection is a bargain for the quality involved. If you’re an Arneis fan, you’ll especially like that you can snag this one for 5 or 6 bucks less a bottle than others regularly available. If you’re not familiar with Arneis, this is a great opportunity to add this to the “grapes I’ve tasted” checklist.
Aromas of stone fruit, especially pear and yellow plum greet on the nose. leading to a palate rich in pear, plum, peach and subtle hints of lemon and lime. There’s a beautiful salty minerality that balances the rich fruits, keeping the palate fresh and clean all through the lengthy finish. I love this tightrope balance of ripe fruit and salty minerality!
Once again, this is a super versatile white that will pair very nicely with seafood, poultry, and hard cheeses. It will make a wonderful starter wine for your next gathering or dinner party.
Marco Bonfante
2018 Roero Arneis- Can't make it in? Call 828-253-0060 with your credit card number.
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