Carminucci Belato Offida Pecorino 2023

Pecorino is a long-forgotten grape variety which is making a comeback. By the mid-20th century, Pecorino was thought to be extinct. However, it was rediscovered and since the 1990s, plantings have grown considerably. It is an early-ripening, thin-skinned grape native to Central Italy, producing fresh, crisp, mineral-driven wines with floral notes. It produces high levels of natural sugars balanced by naturally high acidity. Pecorino thrives at altitude, and the grapes for this wine come from a vineyard located in the DOCG Offida Pecorino, at 250 to 300 metres above sea level, with good exposure to sunlight and cooling breezes. The soil is rich in minerals and clay, which, combined with the sloping topography, is crucial for draining away excess soil moisture. A Mediterranean climate is found throughout the region, with an average annual rainfall of 800 millimetres, mainly falling during the winter months, which builds water reserves in the soils to nourish the vines throughout the typically hot and dry summers. The vineyards are cultivated organically; herbicides and pesticides are not used. The grapes are manually harvested.