Wine is for the Birds

Do not panic wine connoisseurs, I don't mean that wine is worthless. In fact, wine from the winery Tenuta Cocci Grifoni is exceedingly worthy as it is produced with special consideration for the birds. Owners of the family operated winery proclaim themselves to be stewards of the land, which is backed by a certification from LIPU, Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli (Italian Bird Protection League). Due to the biodiversity of the Cocci Grifoni estates, native birds, along with other native populations, are able to thrive in their natural habitat. Increased biodiversity from integrating olives, wheat, and natural forests in their vineyards creates lower pest and disease pressure which strengthens their crop yields.

After touring the vineyard and learning about their management practices we gathered for a tasting of the Offida Pecorino, Rosso Piceno Superiore, and Passerina Sparkling Brut wines. The Pecorino wine is made solely from the Pecorino grape, one of the three most important grape varieties in the region. This wine was my favorite because for my pallet it had the best taste and I loved the strong floral and sage aroma. The other two grape varieties, Montepulciano and Sangiovese, are combined in a 70-30% ratio respectively in the Rosso Piceno Superiore. For me, an untrained taster, the most significant flavors in this wine were black pepper and plum and it was also delicious. The Passerina Sparkling Brut is made from the other white grape variety, Passerina. This wine had a lighter taste again with floral notes that were really pleasant.

My favorite fact that I learned about wine tasting was in regards to terroir. Marilena explained terroir as every aspect of the environment in which the grapes are grown. This includes cultural practices utilized by growers, the plants and animals that surround the plant, sunlight exposure, soil microbes, and more. There is something comforting about knowing that the grapes rely so heavily on their surroundings that they can take in the aromas of the plant species that grow with them. It emphasizes how interconnected the natural world is and how important essential biodiversity is to our wild and agricultural systems.