1 bottle of each: 2011 Bruno Giacosa Arneis – 2011 Colli di Lupo Fiano di Avellino – 2012 ColleStefano Verdicchio – 2011 La Spinetta Vermentino – 2011 Terre Valse Cococciola -

Bruno Giacosa Arneis Description: Dark, straw-yellow colour. Intense, fine and elegantly fruity bouquet reminiscent of peach, apricot, citrus, fruit and acacia flowers. Fresh and fragrant flavour with soft plentifulness.

Terre Valse Cococciola Description: Cococciola is a rare indigenous grape, only grown in Rocca San Giovanni using the traditional “tendone” overhead trellis system. Terre de Chieti means grown in the province of Chieti.  Terre Valse, meaning “worthy land” in Latin, is the name given to the wine produced specifically from the vineyards within the land boundaries of the Frentana village. 

Citrus, floral notes, maybe a hint of grain, it’s a little like Pinot Grigio, a little like Cortese, but definitely its own bird as a crisp, unfettered white that will play with all manner of lighter-handed dishes.  The winery recommends serving it with appetizers, lighter seafood and vegetarian dishes and sushi, which begs the question ‘just how many sushi bars are there in Abruzzo?’  Like other typical Italian whites, this is best served young for its freshness.

Colli di Lupo Fiano di Avellino Description: This young estate, founded in 1994, is the source of one of the finest Fianos made today, if not the best one. Vinified entirely in stainless steel, is pure class and elegance, with peach and melon aromatics and a vibrant acidity that gives it the potential to evolve over a decade into a golden-hued and minerally wine that echoes the qualities of grand cru Chablis.

ColleStefano Verdicchio Description: “Pale straw-green. Knockout aromas of quince, pear, white peach and white flowers are complicated by lemony minerality on the vibrant, captivating nose. Rich and broad on entry, then explosive in the middle palate, saturating the mouth with bright, lively floral and fresh citrus flavors that are intensified by penetrating acidity. Finishes extremely long and creamy-rich, expanding to coat the palate and teeth with lingering white peach and floral flavors. The bright acidity conveys an almost weightless mouthfeel to this seamless, rich, extremely concentrated wine. You can tell that owner Fabio Marchionni studied white wine in Germany. This is but one of many outstanding vintages for this wine. Let me be clear: I think it is probably Italy's single greatest white wine buy.” 94 Points – Stephen Tanzer

La Tunella Sauvignon Blanc Description: Intense varietal bouquet of gooseberry, melon and tomato leaf with aromatic freshness, which moves across the palate adding peach, grapefruit and wet stone. There is a hint of fine herbs. Persistent acidity and taut structure make this a definitively dry Sauvignon Blanc. Pair with Hamachi sashimi with blueberries and Shiso, spring vegetable consommé, or brook trout with lemon-chervil butter.

La Spinetta Vermentino Description: Rich yet complex with scents of pine and sea grass A perfect example of what Vermentino should be, brimming with fruits and floral notes adding minerals at the end. Medium-bodied with fresh peach and lime. The crisp acidity and long finish help show this wine as true indigenous Tuscan class.