Who makes it?

Tiberio Pecorino has a special place in the Tiberio estate. However, apparently it was a different grape that caught Riccardo Tiberio’s eye. That being the Trebbiano Abruzzo vines that are around 60 years old.  

Siblings Cristiana and Antonio Tiberio now have the trusteeship of the family winery just to the East of Rome. The expansion of the native grapes on their estate is a major part of their mission. 

How do they make it?

The vines that produce this wine can be traced back to just five vines that were used for propagating more vines in 1999. Their pecorino grapes come from higher altitude vineyards on predominantly limestone rich soils around Cugnoli in Abruzzo. The name of this grape means ‘sheep’ in Italian. Unsurprisingly then,this is why the word pecorino more often brings to mind the nutty sheep’s milk cheeses. 

It has a history similar to that of viognier, the Northern Rhone grape variety. Subsequently, after becoming a rarity in vineyards it is finally now being embraced again. Interestingly, this Pecorino vineyard is the oldest Pecorino vineyard in Abruzzo. As it was planted in 2000, it is now over 20 years old. 

This version of Pecorino ferments in stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts. 

What does it taste like?

This is a fuller bodied, bone dry (around 0.5 g/l residual sugar) white wine. It is fruity and rounded while offering plenty of savoury notes. The peach fruit follows through with some fresh garden herbs and some nuts. Some minerality and citrus characters join the flavours on the finish. The fruit is intense, yet those fresh herbs offer some fresh dimension. Over time, this wine would develop some honeyed notes. 

What to drink it with?

A salad or pasta dish would be good here. But it really doesn’t need food at all. However, if in doubt, look to chicken or fish or vegetarian dishes. 

Cheese

A cheese match for this wine would be white bloomy cheese or fresh cheese such as Chevre. 

Quickie review « A white Italian wine that has a fresh core of peach and garden herb fruit and nuts with a mineral savouriness. »

Country of Origin:  Pecorino IGP, Italy (Cugnoli)
Tasting Date: May 2025
Price:  UK £25 | €25 | US$ 25++
Drink: now – 3+ years 
Needs food: no
Source: tasting

If you like Italian white wines, why not check out:
Pietrodolce Archineri Etna Bianco
Vigneti del Vulture Pipoli Greco-Fiano
Duca di Castelmonte Zibbibo

Visit Tiberio for more.

If you would like to read a previous review for this wine, please click here.