Organic wines? That’s old news. How about vegan wines? Not only devoid of pesticides and herbicides, but never using gelatin or egg whites (animal products) to “fine” or clarify the wines. (They use bentonite or charcoal.) “They” are Ciù Ciù (pronounced choo choo), a winery located in the Marche region on Italy’s Adriatic coast. The name may come from the word “ciuccare” which means “to sip.” Anyway, it’s a cute, memorable moniker.
As if not novel enough, today’s wine is made from the Lacrima grape that doesn’t seem to exist anywhere outside of the Morro d’Alba region within Le Marche. Its name, meaning “tears,” refers to the fact that the grapes tend to split while ripening, and tears of juice descend. (Tough way to make wine …) Not oak-aged, the wine is a fruit-laden delight of something positively unique.
2015 Lacrima di Morra d’Alba, Ciù Ciù $16 srp
Intense purple to ruby color. Fresh, audacious, highly scented nose of springtime flowers, rosebuds, Rainier cherry and a definite overtone of cinnamon. It’s a penetrating bouquet and refreshingly different. Flavors are light/medium bodied, delicate and Beaujolais-like in a good way. Lightly astringent but not tart, this would match well with Italian cold cuts, Mozzarella and goat cheeses. Drink now-2018.
88/100 points
