Discovering a new wine for Springtime: Arneis

THE WINE GUY

Exploring new wines is part of the fun about wine drinking, wouldn’t you agree?

I’m sure some of you, especially those of you who have traveled to Italy, might have tried wines made from the Arneis grape.

Why did I pick this wine to be worthy of mention as a Spring fling sipper? Not only because it’s delicious and refreshing but also because one of the things I enjoy the most about being involved in the wine business, besides the process of personal discovery, is the added satisfaction I derive from introducing others to new experiences.

Arneis is native to the Piedmont region located in North-Western Italy, at the foot of the Alps. If you break it down etymologically, Piedmont literally means “mountain-foot.”

This grape variety is most prevalent in the Roero area situated to the northwest from the city of Alba. The name Arneis can be translated into “little rascal” in the Piedmontese dialect.

It earned its name from the fact that although it has been grown for many centuries in this area, it is not one of the easiest crops to grow.

Wines made from Arneis grapes are white wines which are full bodied and on the dry side with a typical aromatic profile of stone fruits, (mostly apricots), as well as pears.

One of my favorite Roero Arneis comes from the iconic Cantine dei Marchesi Incisa della Rochetta winery. Mineral, savory, floral and fruity; it presents the typical notes of apricots mentioned above, as well as peach, acacia and green apple.

Add , p ,

a c ia ple.

to that a balanced structure, a pleasant acidity and a persistent, idity perstent, nish. bout elegant finish. And what about food pairings you ask? You won’t find too many wines as versatile as Arneis. The better question would be what doesn’t it go well with?

Enjoy it with a wide array of charcuterie, appetizers, risotto and pasta dishes, fish, crustaceans and other seafood, white meats, barbecue and spicy sauces.

Happy sipping!