Description

Pecorino Civitas, Cantine Orsogna

This charming but previously unfavoured grape variety was thought to be extinct. It was rescued after cuttings were taken in the 1980s. Now this grape is part of the new wave of increasingly popular Italian varietal wines. It is most prolific in Marche, and is also quite widely planted now in other regions of Central Italy.
Its name comes from the Italian word Pecora (sheep), and means ‘Little sheep’.
Some people say this was because local sheep in the region would often eat the grapes whilst walking through the vineyards. Others say that the grapes themselves resemble a little sheep’s head!  Orsogna’s grapes are cultivated bio-dynamically and they carry a Demeter certification.
The wine is a bright gold in colour and has an aromatic nose of citrus, ripe pear and orange. It is soft and pleasing with a great balance of generous fruit and high acidity (a characteristic of the grape). Finally it has a long lasting finish and just by chance happens to be a great partner for Pecorino cheese!