2020 Cocito Ezio, Ben Turnò, Langhe Bianco, Piedmont, Italy

90% Arneis, 10% Sylvaner

“Ben Turnò” means “bentornato” (or “welcome back”) in the Piedmontese dialect and refers to two very significant events in the winery’s (and Ezio Cocito’s personal) story: the reacquisition of this portion of vineyard previously leased to another vintner and the return of Ezio Cocito’s only daughter from a long period abroad. Intense and captivating, this is an extremely aromatic expression of Arneis, with generous aromas of baked apricots, honey, and Golden Delicious apples. Some of the luster typical of the Arneis variety comes through on the palate, while the Sylvaner and Chardonnay add a lively peach-like fruitiness contrasted by subtle herbal notes and intriguing minerality. Produced from old vines, this is a unique and enchanting wine with exceptional appeal, a new approach to Arneis.

2021 Crespaia, Bianchello di Metauro, Marché, Italy

100% Bianchello Del Metauro

Established in 2011, Crespaia is the creation of Rossano Sgammini, a passionate producer who is full of energy and ideas and cherishes the Marche’s ancient wine-making values and traditions. This picturesque estate is perched among olive trees and vines in the rolling hills on the Adriatic coast. The name combines the Italian words expressing the rippling of the sea (crespe) + the honest integrity of the farm (aia). Bianchello is an ancient white grape variety and one of the most traditional white wines of the Marché. The wine is pale yellow with delicate notes of ripe apricot, white peach, citrus, and river stones minerality. It’s dry, medium-bodied with medium-plus acidity with balance and finesse. Such a treat!

2020 Sono Montenidoli, Tradizionale, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy

100% Vernaccia

Montenidoli is literally and figuratively a mountain above the appellation of San Gimignano. It is a large estate of roughly 200 hectares, though just 24 hectares under vine. Elisabetta Fagiuoli is a pivotal figure in Tuscan winemaking, making highly appreciated terroir-driven wines for over 50 years. In 1965 she fell in love with the Montenidoli estate which she was able to purchase with the help of some money from her grandmother. The estate, both the vineyards and olive groves were in total disrepair. She began working towards restoring the property to its former glory. We are extremely lucky to have her wines here and perhaps more than any wine in this set, it speaks to us about how something so simple and so natural can be so beautiful. Here, her “tradizionale” Vernaccia is made in the old-style when white wines were made like red, with the skins of the grapes being pressed into the grape’s juice, providing a depth of color and texture. The wine has a golden hue with notes of ripe brown pears, savory herbs, minerality, honeycomb, and almonds. It’s dry on the palate with plenty of texture, savory and mineral notes, and a lengthy balanced finish.

2021 Arnaldo-Caprai, Grecante, Grechetto dei Colli Martani, Umbria, Italy

100% Grechetto

Centered upon the lush Apennine Range in the center of the Italian peninsula, Umbria is one of the few completely landlocked regions in Italy. During the Renaissance, many wines here were known as “Greco, Grecante, and Grechetto.” Montefalco’s Grecante was one of the most appreciated. The head of Montefalco used to send this wine as a precious gift to princes and important clergymen. Arnaldo Caprai’s Grecante keeps this long tradition alive. The family operation began in 1971 when textiles entrepreneur Arnaldo Caprai purchased 12.5 acres in Montefalco. In 1988, ownership passed on to his son, Marco. Today the winery is recognized for its dedication to environmental, economic, and social sustainability, as well as being champions for the wines of Umbria. The wine is pale straw-green, dry, with driving minerality and notes of green apple, honeydew melon, fresh-squeezed lime and grapefruit, with notes of marigolds, and a crisp finish. A crowd pleaser. 

2020 Kurtatsch, Kerner, Alto Adige, Italy

100% Kerner

Kurtatsch is a German-speaking commune in northern Italy. Vineyards are on breathtakingly steep slopes from 220-900m asl—such a large difference in altitude within one municipality is quite unique. This co-op is one of the oldest in Alto Adige, founded in 1900, and today is 190 families strong. These grapes grow at 800 m asl on terrain, which can be risky to work at times, but to them, it is worth it. Cooling winds that rise in the evenings preserve freshness in the wines, while the dolomite-influenced soil characterizes its minerality. This white is delicious, aromatic, dry, and a perfect balance of full-body, refreshing acidity, great texture from lees aging + a few years bottle age, and ripe and savory fruit notes—lime and lemon pith, yellow melon, yellow apples, and pears, with orange blossom, and intense minerality with a long lingering salty preserved lemon-like finish.

2021 Tasca d’Alemerita Whitaker, Grillo, Mozia, Sicily, Italy

100% Grillo

The ancient Phoenician city and the Island of Mozia sat forgotten about for nearly two millennia until 1902 archeologist John Whitaker bought it with his family’s fortune. A historical place used as a trading hub and defensive outpost of the Phoenicians. This land has been researched and kept up by the Whitaker Foundation since then. In 2007 the family decided to restore the island's vineyards and turned to Tasca d’Alemerita, who have been on the forefront of Sicily's wine production since 1830, to carry out this project. The wine is clear, and bright with a medium concentration of lemon-lime with lovely notes of ripe brown pears, green figs, and golden raisins. It is delightfully floral and has a slightly chalky undertone and richness, with medium+ body and acidity with a nice extended finish. Delicious!

PLEASE NOTE

• Purchasers must be 21 years of age or older and be present with an ID upon delivery.

• Price includes 5.50% Maine State sales tax and Maine’s fifteen-cents redemption deposit per bottle.

• If your billing address is different from your delivery address, please include your delivery address in the comments section at checkout.

• *Delivery is by Wine Wise—not third-party carriers. Our delivery area is Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland Foreside, Falmouth, Old Orchard Beach, Portland, Saco, Scarborough, South Portland, and Westbrook. We have a larger delivery area for Wine Club deliveries.