From: Abruzzo, Italy

Varietal: Passerina

Tasting Notes: Aromas of lemon-lime citrus, ripe apple, and apricot are underscored by a distinct salinity and light pepper notes. The wine elegantly splashes across the palate with a burst of citrus-tinged acidity and tart orchard fruits (think crisp apple and pear), taking on a more tropical feel toward the close while remaining energetic throughout. Citrus oil and a dusting of savory spice linger on the wine’s long, mineral finish.

Pairing: This wine is an approachable companion to a wide range of dishes, from fish and crustaceans to light pastas to spring and summer veggies. Its freshness makes it an excellent match for pan-fried white fish with a zesty lemon butter and capers sauce, linguine with clams, a simple ham and cheese sandwich with butter, or the recipe below for grilled chicken with charred peaches. Another great pairing idea is grilled chicken with Caesar salad…or even as the perfect pairing to elevate homemade chicken tenders with ranch.

Gingery Grilled Chicken Thighs With Charred Peaches by Melissa Clark

About. “We first met in 2004 with a shared passion for wine and the extraordinary beauty of this ancient land, Abruzzo. Both strongly tied to Italy, Antonella and I envisioned a piece of land here in Loreto Aprutino, where we could further plant our cultural roots with a vineyard, an olive tree orchard, and a home. In 2007 we harvested our first vintage. Today, we source grapes and olives from leased properties in three distinct villages:  Loreto Aprutino, Collecorvino and Città Sant’Angelo to offer to enthusiastic patrons. We named our estate, Ilauri, for the inhabitants of our village. Coming from a hilltop covered in bay trees, Loreto Aprutino, was originally called Lauretum, coming from the Latin term for laurel grove or bay tree.” —Rodrigo Redmont, founder of Azienda Vinicola iLauri

Loreto Aprutino is located on the beautiful hills of the province of Pescara in Central Italy, only 20 km from the Adriatic coast. The village’s ancient beauty is filled with medieval architecture and the magnificence of its natural habitat. The history of the village, has built the city’s identity and its traditions. The 7000 inhabitants breathe an agricultural tradition that is an integral part of economic and social life. Over the years, iLauri has sought out different goldilocks zones in the Tavo river valley to plant both native varieties and non-indigenous noble varietals.

Passerina is a white grape varietal found in Le Marche, Abruzzo, and Lazio. The name “Passerina” stems from passero, the Italian word for sparrow, in reference to the bird’s appetite for the ripe grapes of this variety. Meanwhile, the ”–ina" suffix is a diminutive, and indicates the relatively small size of Passerina grapes. Today, it is one of Abruzzo’s most promising varietals. This bottling is the latest addition to iLauri’s line-up, and is therefore called Neola, or “the Young One.”