Ausonia Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Apollo 2023

The couple behind Ausonia, Simone and Francesca, left careers in pharmacy and engineering to set up their biodynamic estate at Atri, near Teramo, where they farm twelve hectares as a pure expression of the local terroir. Trebbiano d'Abruzzo has an ordinary name but, in careful hands, gives one of central Italy's most rewarding whites. The grape is naturally high in acidity and fairly neutral, so site and winemaking do the talking. The vineyards lie on clay and limestone at altitude, caught between the Adriatic and the Gran Sasso range, and the wide daily temperature swing keeps the fruit fresh and the aromatics clear. Ageing on the lees adds texture and a savoury depth without covering the grape's natural cut. The colour is pale straw with green tints. The nose is fresh and mineral, with lemon, green apple and white flowers over a herbal note, and the palate is dry, taut and saline, energetic and clean through a long finish. Serve well chilled at 9 to 11 degrees.