2016 Cecu d’la Biunda Roero Arneis DOCG – An Overlooked White Wine from Piedmont, Italy
Going out of California once again with this wine from dinner last night at Vine 18. Vine 18 is the new restaurant at The Golf Club at Copper Valley. Piedmont is well known for Nebbiolo and production of Barolo and Barbaresco. Arneis is well known in the region but not so much in the United States. This wine is dedicated to Grandfather Francesco Carbone (or “Cecu d’la Biunda” or “son of the blond woman” in the local dialect. The wine grows in the limy soils of the surrounding Vezza Valley. Historically it has been referred to as the “white neighbor” of Nebbiolo to signify its quality and importance to the region.
Roero wines include red Roero as well as white Roero Arneis. The name “Roero Arneis” are made from 95% Arneis grapes and the balance from non-aromatic white varieties of the Piedmont region. Roero became a DOC region in 1985 and a DOCG region in 2005.
On the eyes a straw yellow color with sparkling golden highlights. On the nose and palate extremely floral nuances, orange blossom, mint and sage. Cecu has a strong minerality in the mouth but play harmonious with the floral notes. This wine while from an inland area, is ideal for fish.
Since this was my first time tasting this wine, I also brought a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc as a backup! The Arneis was so refreshing and paired exquisitely with the fresh halibut served over “dirty rice”. Two others had the halibut and agreed the Arneis was the wine of choice with this meal.
We also tasted a 2017 Duckhorn Monitor Ledge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and a 2015 Young’s Reserve Petite Sirah for good measure!
I am now looking for this beautiful white wine to keep in stock in the cellar, especially for fresh fish dishes.
Sláinte,
Michael
California Wines & Wineries 