Tenuta di Tavignano - Marche Il Pestifero Frizzante Bianco IGT ("Naughty Boy") 2023 750ml (11.5% ABV)

 Il Pestifero, which translates loosely as “bratty little boy” or “problem child”, is a new-ish wine for them, the result of Ondine’s sparkling experient. It worked, we love it, as will practically anybody to whom you serve it. Crowd-pleasing, not weird or cidery, low-octane bubbles in a perfectly seasonal (and adorable) package. No brainer.

At the top of a hill in Cingoli, in Le Marche, between the Apennine mountains and the Adriatic sea, stands Tenuta di Tavignano.  Since the 1990’s, owners Stefano Aymerich di Laconi and his late wife Beatrice Lucangeli devoted themselves full measure to the production of high-quality wines based on the region’s most noble grape: Verdicchio. They replanted their vineyards and reinvested in the uniqueness of Castelli di Jesi Classico DOC. And make no mistake, the appellation is worth your attention – especially in the Classico district, where centuries of cultivation pre-date the boom of quantity over quality in one of Italy’s most historic DOCs, founded in 1968!

And few producers have honed in so well on what it means to be Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico as has Tavignano—with a host of Tre Bicchieri awards since 2006 culminating with the highest honor of the Italian press—Gambero Rosso’s White Wine of the Year award in 2017 for their Misco Riserva 2015.

Today, Ondine de la Feld, Stefano’s niece, has taken over for her uncle as CEO in the management of the estate’s 30 hectares of Verdicchio, Montepulciano, Sangiovese and other native varieties.  Her influence has been important.  In 2014, the year Ondine joined the company, Tavignano began conversion of all of its vineyards to organic production, becoming fully certified in 2018. Upholding tradition while simultaneously embracing change, Tavignano expresses a freedom in form that keeps them one of the most exciting estates in Le Marche.

• Pet Nat
• Verdicchio 70%, Malvasia 15%, Sangiovese (vinified white) 15%
• sourced from estate vineyard
• 1.5 hectares at 240-270 mt above the sea level
• Primary fermentation at controlled temperature
• Bottled and natural 2nd fermentation in bottle for 2 months
• No degorgement
• Unfiltered
• 11.5% alcohol, no residual sugar
• Approximately 1000 cases produced each vintage

 dried flowers, nectarines and smoke. It's chiseled within, striking with its stern acidity and mineral tones, yet quickly finds balance through a wave of silken bubbles and spice. This tapers off with a floral sensation resetting the palate.  aromatic complexity that varies from herbaceous notes, a minerality hint, citrus and soft floral scents. It’s dry with delicate bubbles and great acidity making it alive. Nose is green apple, lime zest, grapefruit, underripened white peach, and wet stone. Frizzante, medium minus bodied, dry, fun effervescence, lime pith, green pear, saline, and crushed seashells.

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