The Passerina
Grape
A white grape variety from central Italy, especially popular in the regions of Marche and Abruzzo. Passerina produces light, crisp wines with high acidity and a delicate floral aroma, featuring flavors of citrus fruits and green apples, often with a mineral finish. It is used in both still and sparkling wine production.
Passerina
Grape History
Passerina is a white wine grape variety that has a long and storied history, particularly in central Italy. Although the exact origins of Passerina are somewhat uncertain, it is known to have been cultivated in Italy for centuries, with some sources tracing its history back to the medieval times. The name "Passerina" is believed to be derived from the Italian word "passero," which means sparrow, likely due to the grape's small size and the fact that sparrows are known to enjoy eating the ripe berries.
Passerina grapes are known for their high acidity, which makes them well-suited for winemaking. They are also characterized by their elegant floral and fruity aromas, with notes of citrus, pear, and green apple commonly found in wines made from Passerina grapes. This grape variety is typically used to produce crisp, refreshing white wines that are perfect for warm weather sipping.
Passerina is primarily grown in the central regions of Italy, particularly in the Marche and Abruzzo regions. In Marche, Passerina is often blended with other local grape varieties such as Verdicchio and Pecorino to create balanced and complex white wines. In Abruzzo, Passerina is typically used to make varietal wines that showcase the grape's unique characteristics.
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in Passerina and other indigenous Italian grape varieties as consumers and winemakers alike seek out unique and authentic expressions of wine. This trend towards indigenous grape varieties bodes well for the future of Passerina, as it is well-positioned to capitalize on this growing interest in traditional and terroir-driven wines.
Overall, Passerina is a fascinating grape variety with a rich history and promising future in the world of wine. Whether enjoyed on its own or as part of a blend, wines made from Passerina grapes offer a delightful combination of freshness, complexity, and regional character that is sure to appeal to wine lovers looking for something off the beaten path.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel