Roero Arneis, 2018. Cayega

Carretta was founded in 1467 by Andrea Damiano. Several years later he planted vines. The name comes from the Celtic word "car" which translates to "stone," and refers to the huge gypsum deposits on the estate.

Of course, they didn't know it at the time, but Carretta's location in Piedmont's Roero district is one of the greatest areas in Italy and world-renown for growing grapes. It houses Italy's finest wines, Barolo and Barbaresco, which Carretta also produces.

Arneis is one of the oldest grapes in Italy, having been mentioned in the wine prose of the day in 1461. It almost became extinct because of its curious position, which is that the grape is very aromatic and has a strong scent while still on the vine. Birds love Arneis, so it was planted alongside Nebbiolo to attract the birds and keep them away from the Nebbiolo, the great grape of Barolo and Barbaresco. You can always tell where Arneis is planted because almost all the vineyards are covered in netting.

So, this "sacrificial grape" gave its life for the greater red. Fortunately, some producers, like Carretta, decided to make this wine that the birds loved so much because, unsurprisingly, people loved it too!

The persistent floral and fruit components are unmistakable. The wine is packed with white peach, white grape and spicy components like nutmeg and cardamom to match a lobster salad or a spicy shrimp enchilada.

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