A great alternative to pinot grigio

Try the Marramiero Pecorino d’Abruzzo at Pizzeria Enzina

When you hear the word “Pecorino,” you likely think of Pecorino Romano, that tangy hard cheese perfect for grating over fettuccini carbonara. But when you hear about a delicious Pecorino d’Abruzzo, we hope you’ll think of the zingy white wine from the Abruzzo region that is perfect for pairing with classic Italian cuisine—and a better match than pinot grigio. We discovered Pecorino d’Abruzzo a few years ago and were delighted to find it on the menu at Pizzeria Enzina, one of Waltham’s top Italian restaurants.

If you’ve never tasted Pecorino d’Abruzzo, you’re not alone. The grape languished in obscurity for much of the 20^th century until some producers revived it in the 1980s. Ranging in color from the palest yellow to deep gold, Pecorino d’Abruzzo wines are typically dry and aromatic, with lots of citrus and limestone on the nose and peaches and pears on the palate.

Enzina serves the 2021 Marramiero Pecorino d’Abruzzo at a very reasonable $14 a glass. Crisp and bone dry, the wine balances its citrus and stone fruit flavors with a tiny hint of cream on the long finish. It stood up beautifully to the spaghetti with garlic confit and paired well with the tagliatelle bolognese. Enzina’s house-made pastas are every bit as good as their celebrated pizza, especially the bolognese, which is VinoDuo’s benchmark for a great Italian restaurant.

Experimenting with a new wine can be daunting. But if pinot grigio is your go-to for an Italian white, we heartily recommend taking a chance on Pecorino d’Abruzzo. Its bright flavors and refreshing minerality are the ideal complement to your next Italian meal.