Cantina Orsogna Lunaria Civitas Pecorino 2025

Pecorino nearly vanished from Abruzzo before growers rescued the variety in the 1980s, and Cantina Orsogna, a biodynamic cooperative on Italy's Adriatic coast, is among those who have brought it back. The grape's name nods to the sheep that once grazed the vineyards, and the wine is farmed biodynamically and made as a natural, vegan bottling. Grown in the hills of Abruzzo between the Apennines and the sea, Pecorino keeps high natural acidity and a herbal, citric character, helped by the cooling mountain air and the wide day to night temperature swing. The wine is rested on its lees, which adds a fine texture and savoury depth while keeping the fruit fresh and the style unoaked. The colour is pale straw. The nose shows green apple, pear and white flowers, with thyme and a saline, mineral note. The palate is dry and lively, medium bodied, the crisp fruit carried by firm acidity to a clean, herb tinged finish. Serve well chilled at 8 to 10 degrees. It suits grilled white fish, shellfish, green salads and roast chicken, and makes a bright, savoury aperitif.