Fantastic White Wine From South Of Rome

My wine merchant held up the bottle of the 2022 Marco Carpeneti Bellone Nzu and proclaimed, "This wine is great!" I will wholeheartedly agree. Before you ask, Nzu means "togetherness" in the ancient dialect of Cori, symbolizing the marriage of ancient winemaking and modern organic farming. 

The three stars on the label are derived from the family's coat of arms as representing faith, hope, and charity. Today the stars represent sustainability, respect for nature, and innovation. The wine is made from 100% Bellone, a local grape in Cori, a city in the Lazio region of central Italy. It is aged in hand-made clay amphoras. Alcohol tips 14% abv and the retail price is $30.  

This wine is a pale yellow, with some light frizzante showing on the sides of the glass. The nose shows a floral aspect, with notes of apricot, mango, lemon, and lanolin. The palate is just as complex, with citrus minerality, salinity, and a nutty flavor. The acidity is middling, but on the brighter side of it. The wine finishes long and savory. It will be a nice pair with shrimp or crab. 

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