The 2011 FUSO Verdicchio di Matelica (no not Metallica) is sourced from grapes grown by the Cantina Belisario Co-Op in the Matelica DOC in Marche, central Italy. Verdicchio is a popular White grape in Italy, back in the 1980s they grew so much Verdicchio that there was more Verdicchio grown in the world than Chardonnay. Lately, Pinot Grigio has become the main exported White wine from Italy, but Verdicchio is still a favorite with the locals. Wine Co-Ops are popular in Europe, it is a group of individual grape growers who band together, either build their own winemaking facility or lease space at one, hire a winemaker and make their own wine. By banding together they have larger production abilities and more clout in the marketplace and it also helps for them to self police the group members vineyards to keep quality high. FUSO Verdicchio di Matelica is an interesting wine, it is a label put together by PortoVino, but instead of being a wine that is created specifically for the US market (many wines imported from Europe are made in a style and with a combination of grapes or a lack of combination of grapes that the locals would not recognize), this is the exact same wine that Cantina Belisario sells to the local towns and villages.
The color is nearly clear, just a hint of gold, a pale shadow of lime green. The nose is crisp, light and refreshing, melon with a bright splash of citrus. This is a balanced, but with full, well rounded flavors, fleshy peach followed by tart grapefruit, with a background of oranges. The mid palate brings a light touch of minerality along with Fuji apple. The acidity is bright and really compliments the body of the wine, this is a wine made to be paired with food. The finish is light, but lengthy.
If you are looking for a wine that works well in the heat of the summer and almost naturally pairs well with summer foods, look to the wine making countries where the warm weather lasts most of the year. They have no reason to make anything other than great summer wines. The 2011 FUSO Verdicchio di Matelica simply rocks the summer, light bodied, but full flavored, with acidity that brings out the best in a wine. If you like Pinot Grigio, you just might love FUSO Verdicchio.
