Laura Aschero Pigato 2021 – 750ml

Here is a wine that tastes like you’re sitting on a loggia overlooking the Italian Riviera itself. It’s salinity is palpable, as are the wild herbs, bracken and flowers that are so much a part of the flora of this region. The fruit is surprisingly rich for a wine so seemingly lean and there are notes that are almost tropical, with hints of apricots and pineapple to go with its preserved lemon and verbena core. Still, it’s the wine’s taut vibrancy and broad mineral-finish that makes this one of the world’s best seafood wines. As you can imagine, oysters, mussels and the like are naturals, as is a whole grilled fish. Stuff the cavity with fresh herbs and it’s an even better pairing. Rich enough for richer fish like halibut and salmon too. If you’ve been to Liguria, this will take you right back to those sights and smells. If you’ve yet to have the pleasure, here’s a way to discover this most amazing part of the Italian coast without even having to leave your living room! A definite winner no matter what you choose to complement, this is one of those a-ha Italian whites of which one can never have enough.