Today marks the first time in our 12+ years that we’re featuring a Greco white wine. Greco is an Italian white wine grape, possibly of Greek origin. The name relates to both white (Greco bianco) and black (Greco nero) wine grape varieties. Today’s Cautiero Azienda Agricola 2014 “Trois” Sannio Greco DOC is a delightful, delicious gem!

With its perfect clarity, it shines like a jewel of citrine in the glass. The nose is unusual and alluring with notes of honey, saffron, orange blossom, marzipan, and dulce de leche. On the palate, bright apple and tart pear come to the fore. It’s complimented by tropical fruit notes of kiwi and watermelon, with a surprising persimmon twist. It has bright acidity from the stainless steel, yet it has a pleasant viscosity that’s mainly located towards the front of the palate. Serve with a garden party where everyone is sick of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Greco Bianco is most widely found in southern Italy where it is featured in several DOCs. In 2006, it numbered less than 2,500 acres of the varietal planted.

Sannio DOC, where today’s special wine hails from, is a Campanian wine region located in the center of the region that overlaps with the historical grape-growing region of Samnium. Here Greco is used for both still wines and a Spumante style wine produced with the classical method of sparkling wine production. For the still white blend of Sannio, Greco is permitted to make up to 50% of the blend with Trebbiano, Coda di Volpe, Falanghina, Fiano and Moscato. In the Spumante style, Greco and Falanghina are the only two permitted grape varieties.

Here’s what the wine press has to say.

91 points - Mary L - “Aromas of Orange peel, grapefruit and a hint of exotic saffron lead the nose on this vibrant white. On the linear palate, bright acidity lifts tropical and citrus flavors, finishing with a bright, softly chalky, viscous feel across the entire palate. This is a great wine to enjoy with a mixed seafood paella or a whole grilled branzino with lemon and fresh herbs.”