Trebbiano, 2018. Citra

Citra is a co-op founded in 1973 by no less than 3,000 small family growers amassing more than 15,000 acres. Together they would share the huge winery they built and be able to concentrate on growing grapes knowing they would be able to sell them and continue to produce.

Montepulciano was known for its inexpensive wines of nice, but ordinary character. Most of the growers couldn't make a living at the prices they had to charge in order to sell their wine. The establishment of a co-op allowed them to not only make better wines, but at a lower cost, thus raising their income. Many pushed the envelope further into making outstanding wine and charging more. The quality was there and the public responded.

Montepulciano is a mountainous region on the Italy's Adriatic Coast. It is almost as well known for the sheep that graze here as it is for its wine. The nature of the land dictates that yields are lower, thus producing more flavorful grapes from which they can make more flavorful wine. Trebbiano is the most planted white grape in Italy. But they are not all created equal. Here they call it Trebbiano d'Abruzzo to signify that it is a nobler rendition than found in other areas.

Our selection certainly holds up to that rendition. The lilting floral arrangement offers pear, green apple, and quince with a dizzying finish of orange blossom. The entire concert of flavors match the food of the region such as an anchovy pasta with garlic or Branzino with tomato and basil.

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