La Staffa Verdicchio di Castelli di Jesi

La Staffa's Verdicchio di Castelli di Jesi is grown organically (moving towards certification) in limestone-rich clay soil at about 400 meters (1,300 feet) above sea level, close to the altitude at Colle Stefano, which is about an hour away (and much closer as the crow flies); high altitude vineyards preserve acidity during the growing season, and La Staffa has almost the same lip-smacking fresh green-apple zing as Colle Stefano. The grapes are picked into small boxes, pressed immediately, and fermented (using both indigenous yeasts and cultured yeasts) at cool temperature in a mixture of stainless steel and cement tanks with temperature control for about 15 days; the wine is bottled in the spring following the vintage after aging on the fine lees for about six months. The wine in tank is left outside during the winter for a mild natural cold stabilization, and is roughly filtered (not sterile filtered). Tasting notes: Pale straw; distinctly aromatic (almond, citrus, green apple, herbal notes on both nose and palate); medium weight, fresh acidity; long finish. Makes a delicious dry aperitif, or drink it with most any seafood dish, seafood pastas, or roast chicken.