Pandolfi Orsini "Fanelli" IGT Marche Bianco '18

My undying love affair with the Marche region is widely known. I almost always take a yearly pilgrimage to the region to visit friends, taste wine, eat great food, and relax.  I always stop to visit with Andrea and Cristina Orsini of Pandolfi Orsini, a tiny winery located just outside of the equally small village of San Lorenzo in Campo. Pandolfi Orsini was founded in 1894, and Andrea is the six generation to make wine at the estate. In total four wines are produced.   Their only white wine is called “Fanelli” and is produced from the local grape called Biancame, which is more widely known as Bianchello in the appellation of Bianchello del Metauro. Andrea’s vineyard lie outside the appellation, so he labels this as an IGT Marche Bianco. This has always been one of my favorite expressions of the varietal. The exuberant nose has notes of lemon oil, white flowers, orange peel and apricot. The palate is medium weight, with notes of dried apricot, almond paste, and mineral.  It is a white wine to enjoy with very simply prepared fish dishes, sautéed razor clams or grilled white fish. It also pairs nicely with goat cheese. Vive Le Marche!