2023 Raina - Umbria IGT Grechetto (750ml)

Located in the heart of Umbria, near the historic hill town of Montefalco, Raína is a boutique estate named after the field’s previous peasant owner, a nickname meaning "The Frog." Founded by Francesco Mariani, a former chef turned visionary winemaker, the estate is a passionate champion of natural, low-intervention viticulture. Mariani farms his 10 hectares with strict Demeter-certified biodynamic principles, shunning synthetic chemicals completely to protect the living harmony of his land.

While Umbria is famous for its powerful red Sagrantino, Grechetto is the region's white crown jewel. Mariani coaxes incredible depth out of this thick-skinned variety. Grown on slopes rich in clay, limestone, and gravel at roughly 1,000 feet above sea level, the grapes are hand-harvested and spontaneously fermented using only native yeasts. True to its natural ethos, the wine undergoes a brief maceration on its skins, followed by aging on the fine lees in concrete vats. The 2023 vintage is an absolute triumph of varietal character—beautifully bypassing the boring, neutral white archetype to deliver an aromatic, savory, and intensely texturized experience with an unmistakable old-world soul.

Tasting Profile

• Aroma: Complex, earthy, and beautifully detailed. The wine pours a deep, glowing straw-yellow hue with golden reflections. The nose opens with an upscale bouquet of bruised yellow apples, dried apricots, and lemon curd, quickly followed by complex varietal layers of wild fennel, almond paste, white tea leaves, and a distinct, smoky wash of wet clay and crushed stones.

• Palate: Medium-to-full-bodied, intensely savory, and wonderfully textured. On the first sip, it flows across the tongue with a tactile, slightly waxy viscosity from its skin contact and lees aging. Fleshy flavors of yellow stone fruits and pear skin are matched by a striking, mouthwatering spine of natural acidity that keeps the palate feeling lively and precise.

• Finish: Long, bone-dry, and structural. Grechetto is famous for its phenolic power, and this wine tapers into a focused close framed by a subtle, pleasant, and chalky tannic grip. It leaves behind lingering, complex nuances of dried garden herbs, a touch of almond pith bitterness, and a lip-smacking mineral salinity that commands food.

Wine Specifications

Serving Tip: Because this is a low-intervention, concrete-aged white wine with a touch of skin contact, avoid serving it ice-cold, which will stun its gorgeous textures and savory aromatics. Aim for a slightly cool cellar temperature of 50–54°F. Pour it into a standard, wide-bowled Chardonnay or Chianti glass to allow the complex herbal and stone fruit layers to fully expand.

Best Food Pairings

Thanks to its robust body, waxy mid-palate texture, and light tannic grip, this Grechetto behaves beautifully alongside rich fats, earthy profiles, and Umbrian comfort food:

• The Umbrian Standard: Pasta tossed with wild boar sausage, cream, and wild mushrooms, or a rich truffle-infused risotto.

• Roasted Meats: Herb-crusted roasted pork loin, lemon-garlic roasted chicken, or rabbit stewed with rosemary and white wine.

• From the Sea: Pan-seared scallops in a brown butter sauce, grilled octopus with olive oil, or hearty seafood stews.

• Cheese & Charcuterie: Salty cured meats like prosciutto and wild boar salami, paired with semi-hard cheeses like Pecorino Umbro or aged Gouda.