Pelassa Roero Arneis San Vito 2021

Arneis is THE white grape of Piemonte – prized for its bright acidity and intense minerality – perfectly crafted here by the Pelassa family into this exceptional 91 POINT arneis! Due to its sheer complexity, Roero Arneis has often been described as a White Barolo, and we’re all for that. This belongs in the same conversation as the White Burgundy, top-notch Sancerre, and White Bordeaux – at a mere $17...this deserves your attention!

Piemonte enthusiasts will know Roero as the DOCG appellation just outside of Barolo to the north of Alba, with sandier soils and rocking delicious wines that are MUCH easier on the wallet! Roero’s landscape – with its rolling hills, steep vineyards, and unique sandy soils – produces some of Italy’s most intriguing wines, and Pelassa’s delectable San Vito arneis is at the top of the list.

This small family estate was founded in the 1950s by Mario Pelassa. At the age of 10, he took the advice to get ‘on yer bike’ to help the family fortunes, cycling into Turin with a few flasks of nebbiolo to sell. From these humble origins the winery was established, and today, they produce high-quality bottlings from their estate vineyards, with fantastic prices that we can ALL appreciate...! The vast majority of the wines are sold within Italy and the rest of Europe – we are simply thrilled to be one of the only shops in the U.S. to have this!

This wine is 100% arneis grapes from the San Vito lieu-dit on the Montà d’Alba – quick draining, red loamy gravel and sand up at 1000 feet above sea level. Straw yellow in color, its ethereal and floral perfume showcases chamomile, jasmine honey, and poached pears. On the palate, it is dry, textured, and waxy with a brilliant, penetrating acidity granting the wine freshness and persistence. Arneis’ classical minerality - of tumbled white limestone, and smoky flint - adds a jagged complexity that perfectly dispels the unctuous viscosity of the fruit and spirals into a clean, supremely pleasing finish. This is a treat and a wine that all white wine lovers should experience...while it lasts!

PAIRING IDEAS: This is a perfect fit for the richer seafood and shellfish options – I’m having a bottle with crab claws in a tarragon butter sauce...just divine!