The Pecorino grape, now well-known and increasingly appreciated both in Italy and abroad, was rediscovered around the '90s after it had almost fallen into oblivion. Initially cultivated in Piceno, in southern Marche, its potential did not go unnoticed by Abruzzo winemakers who began planting it throughout the regional territory, so much so that this grape has become a kind of third wheel within the Montepulciano/Trebbiano wine duo.
Great structure, aromatic and gustatory richness, invigorating acidity, and aging potential are its main characteristics. When skillfully and attentively crafted, these traits can be conveyed into fragrant and elegant wines. These are gastronomic wines, and we recommend keeping them in the cellar for at least a couple of years before consumption. Here is an ideal selection to align with one of the most interesting emerging varieties on the Peninsula.
The best Pecorino wines from the Marche awarded with Tre Bicchieri 2024
Here, we focus specifically on the three Pecorino wines from the Marche region that we awarded Tre Bicchieri in the Gambero Rosso Guide Vini d'Italia 2024.
Offida Pecorino Artemisia 2022 from Tenuta Spinelli, with a citric, straight, and piercing profile, is just slightly more ready than previous vintages but no less flavorful or captivating. Simone Spinelli's production backbone relies on two main vineyards. Both convey why his style emphasizes fragrance and acidity: the first is located at about 450 meters near the Sanctuary of Montemisio, while the more recent one in Castel di Croce reaches up to 800 meters above sea level. The cool breeze from Mount Ascension allows for measured ripening even in warmer vintages. In the cellar, small barrels are reserved only for Pinot Nero (produced in the most suitable years), while everything else is handled in steel.
Offida Pecorino 2022 from Tenuta Santori presents refined hints of lemon, wild herbs, and flowers preceding a graceful, very fresh sip with a magnetic finish. The perfectly renovated farmhouse of the estate dominates the hill, offering a panoramic and central view of its 18 hectares of vineyards. Within its walls, there is space for hospitality projects and a tasting room. A short walk leads to the lower cellar, partly underground, housing steel tanks and a barrel room with small barrels dedicated to reds. Marco Santori vinifies only his own grapes, derived from traditional Picene varieties.
Falerio Pecorino Maree 2022 from Madonnabruna brings Tre Bicchieri back to the Fermo hills after a long time. This Pecorino exudes scents of citrus, summer fruit, a hint of mowed grass, and anise; on the palate, it is juicy, with vital intensity reverberating into an extremely long finish. The winery is located in a minimally urbanized valley with a high agricultural vocation, in the countryside south of Fermo. The Adriatic Sea can be seen in the distance, surrounded by groves of oaks, olive trees, and vineyards in an idyllic setting. Founded by Paolo Petracci in 2002, the project is now carried forward by his son Carlo, an oenologist, who benefits from the external consultancy of Aroldo Bellelli. The style favors freshness and crisp aromatic profiles for whites, while the reds have a more fruity character without losing their depth.
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