Pecorino IGT Terre di Chieti Organic

The Pecorino IGT Terre di Chieti BIO comes from Palazzo Centofanti, a certified organic winery in Giuliano Teatino, in the hills of the province of Chieti in Abruzzo. Pecorino is one of Italy's most interesting white grape varieties—an indigenous Abruzzese grape that almost disappeared in the 1970s and 1980s and was patiently revived by local producers starting in the 1990s. The name comes from tradition: sheep would gladly eat the grapes during transhumance in the Abruzzese hills. Today, it is one of Italy's most appreciated white wines for its salinity and characteristic almond finish.

Palazzo Centofanti's winemaking is precise and respectful: gentle pressing of the grapes, fermentation of the clear must in small stainless steel tanks at low temperatures, and aging on the fine lees for about 4 months before bottling. The fine lees—the noble residues of fermentation—give the wine structure, creaminess, and aromatic complexity without weighing it down.

Bright straw-yellow color with greenish reflections. On the nose, yellow plum, loquat, fresh citrus notes, and delicate vegetal nuances. Dry and saline on the palate, with good structure and a long finish with an elegant almond note.

Grape variety: 100% Pecorino | Vintage: 2024 | Alcohol: 12% | Format: 0.75 l
Serving temperature: 10–12°C
Winemaking: Gentle pressing. Low-temperature stainless steel fermentation of the clear must. Aging for ~4 months on the fine lees. Bottling.

Who is it recommended for?

For those who love Italian whites with character and salinity, and want to discover Abruzzese Pecorino—an indigenous grape variety rescued from oblivion with a personality very different from international whites. It is the right choice for those who find Pinot Grigio too neutral and are looking for something with more terroir and complexity. Also excellent for those who love saline whites to pair with fish.

When to drink it?

Immediately, well chilled, within 2–3 years of the vintage to best enjoy its freshness and salinity. Aging on the lees gives it a structure that holds up well for a few more years. Ideal at 10–12°C.

Taste characteristics

A dry and saline Pecorino, in which yellow-fleshed fruit—plum, loquat—blends with fresh citrus notes and pleasant minerality. Aging on the fine lees adds creaminess and structure without weighing it down. The finish is long and persistent, with an elegant return of floral and fruity notes and the typical almond note of the grape variety.

Why we chose this wine

Because Palazzo Centofanti's Pecorino tells the story of a high-quality indigenous Abruzzese grape variety that almost disappeared and is now rightly revalued. Winemaking with aging on the fine lees is a precise technical choice that enhances the grape variety's natural structure. We offer it because it completes our selection of Abruzzo with the region's benchmark white—far more interesting than a generic Trebbiano.

FAQ

What dishes does Pecorino IGT BIO pair with?
Ascoli-style stuffed olives, fish appetizers, pasta with fish or vegetables, delicate fish main courses, shellfish, fresh cheeses. The almond finish also makes it excellent with dishes featuring almonds or nuts.

Why is it called Pecorino if it is a white wine?
The name has nothing to do with cheese. It comes from Abruzzese farming tradition: during transhumance, sheep would gladly eat the bunches of this grape variety in the hills. The name has remained, even though the grape variety almost disappeared and was only revived in recent decades.

What are fine lees, and why do they improve the wine?
Fine lees are the noble residues of fermentation—spent yeast and fragments of pulp. Leaving the wine in contact with them for 4 months (sur lies) gives it structure, creaminess, and aromatic complexity without weighing it down. It is a common technique in great Burgundian whites, here applied to Abruzzese Pecorino.

Is it a certified organic wine?
Yes. Palazzo Centofanti is a certified organic winery in Giuliano Teatino, in the province of Chieti. No synthetic pesticides in the vineyard.