Wine of the week: Vigneti Radica Pecorino (IGT Terre di Chieti) 2009
Posted on October 1st, 2010
Saved in Sour Grapes recommends, Video, White wine
The background
There’s a great story behind this label. The bull, not to be confused with the other red bull, was owned by Rocco Radica. He was a farmer in the beautiful Abbruzzo region of Italy. Having sold the bull, Rocco bought some vineyard land. Rocco was mainly a grower providing grapes to the local co-op of which he was a founder.
Fast forward two generations and Rocco’s grandson, Rocco, is part of a family business making, marketing and selling their own wine. The price of grapes across the world from Barossa to Abruzzo has plummeted. However, this situation was seen as an opportunity by the Radica family and in 2009 started their own winery. Instead of selling their grapes, they now make and bottle their own wine. And it’s been worth it, the wines are terrific.
The wine
The grape is a Pecorino but isn’t that a hard sheep milk cheese? Yes it is, but in and around Abruzzo, Italians will tell you that this grape got its name from the sheep which used to nibble on the leaves of the vines on their way to new pasture.
Like many Italian grape varietals, Pecorino is a rare, long-forgotten link to the past and brought back from near extinction by the most dedicated of winemakers.
This one from Vigneti Radica has delicious fruit with floral notes backed up by a great tropical and peach stone flavours and a lovely minerality. Very interesting white and perfect for any time of year.
That site I mentioned in my video?
You’ll find it on www.vignetiradica.it. Nice well tended blog too with some magnificent photos of the area, the people and the food. There’s a Facebook page to match.
Had a pecorino before, wasn’t hugely impressed, thought bitter and bland.
Wish there was more access to fiano-falanghina-greco di tufo et al down here in Cork.
This is a good ‘un. Nice family owned winery with real emphasis on quality too.
Met Rocco about 6 months ago and tasted his range of wines, including an excellent Montepulciano and Cerasuolo D’Abruzzo. Glad he found an importer in Louis Albrouze.
Would you believe I had a pecorino last night from CANTINA FRENTANA which was really nice. Good weight in the gob, lingering finish and a nice touch of oak complexity… Still some waiting at home for me in the fridge!
Having read this month’s Italian supplement in Decanter, my husband and I have decided to buy each Friday, a bottle of Italian wine from Mick Wallace’s Entocea, in Inchiore. We started this evening with his Pecorino; “Ciprea, Poderi Capecii, San Savino”. It was very enjoyable. Extremely fresh, virbrant and minerally with good balanced acidity.My only other experience of Pecorino, was a bottle bought from M&S. The Ciprea was a long shot a head and the same price, €15. Next Friday will be a rare Late Harvest Pinot Grigio!
Hi Olivia, nice choice. Mick Wallace does some great wines. His Jervis St. Enoteca is closest to me so I’ll have to pop in to see what else he has. Thanks for the comment and enjoy your wine!