Passerina 'Ulisse' Tenuta Ulisse 2023

Tenuta Ulisse's 'Ulisse' Passerina white wine stands out for its suave aromas reminiscent of flowers, citrus fruits and white-fleshed fruit, qualities associated with the grape variety. The name 'Passerina' derives from the sparrows, birds that are particularly fond of this grape, with the suffix '-ina' referring to the small size of the berries. This variety has long been used almost exclusively in blends with other, more popular grape varieties, although in recent times more and more wineries, including Tenuta Ulisse, have opted for pure vinification. Indeed, the interest behind Passerina lies in its remarkable ability to accumulate sugars within the berries without losing acidity, resulting in fresh, well-balanced wines.

Tenuta Ulisse's Passerina 'Ulisse' originates exclusively from Passerina grapes grown in the province of Chieti. Once harvested, the grapes are carefully selected and then placed in the cooling tunnel to lower their temperature and favour the subsequent cryomaceration operation, aimed at enhancing the aromatic component of the grapes. This is followed by destemming and gentle pressing in an inert environment, with the must thus obtained undergoing cold static clarification before slow alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 11 °C. Also in stainless steel, the wine is left to mature for a few months before final bottling.

The Passerina 'Ulisse' from the Abruzzi Tenuta Ulisse has a straw-yellow colour with brilliant greenish hues. The olfactory context is defined by vivid scents of white peach, apricot and citrus fruits such as grapefruit, enriched by floral hints reminiscent of lime and wisteria, as well as an iodine mineral vein that emerges with ageing. In the mouth, it is very fresh and savoury, almost brackish, with good intensity and smoothness.