The rolling, fog-laden hills of Italy’s Piedmont region are best known for providing optimum terrior for its celebrity variety, Nebbiolo (re: Barolo). Barbera plays second fiddle, especially from the Piedmontese regional villages of Asti and Alba—the latter also being a high-producing parish for truffles and hazelnuts, and is home to Nutella spreads. Further down the hierarchy of precious varietals from this historic wine region is Arneis, the shining star of white wine in Piedmont. Import darling Vietti stands as arguably the most definitive and familiar producers of Arneis brought to the United States, so it was deemed fortuitous for the Ponzi family to connect with the Currados of Vietti and plant cuttings of Arneis in Oregon in 1991.
Ponzi Vineyards still stakes the claim today as one of the few producers making Arneis in the states. From the LIVE Certified Sustainable estate Aurora Vineyard, second generation winemaker Luisa Ponzi whole cluster presses and ferments the majority of this wine in stainless steel, with small portions cold fermenting in neutral barrels. Skipping malolactic fermentation, Ponzi strives to produce an Arneis true to form—fresh and floral, full with stone fruit and a wide, dry palate. A spring field of flowers bloom on the nose, with almond, chamomile, peach pit and apple skin. Like slicing into a fresh peach, the palate juices and gushes tropical flavors with restraint managed by acid and an off-dry finish.
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