A light, effervescent ‘spring’ is the first thing you will notice from opening a bottle of Ceretto-Blange Langhe Arneis DOC 2022 ($25). This beautiful wine is made with organic grapes native to the distinctive Peidmontese region known as the Roero. It is the Ceretto family’s homage to the preeminence of the Arneis white wine grape on the world stage.
Blange is a sophisticated blending of Ceretto’s best organic practices combined with a modern style of winemaking. Through a unique method of temperature-controlled fermentation, a slight pressure and residual sugar remains, allowing a natural level of dissolved CO2 to remain in the wine, thus creating a light spritz upon opening the bottle. This creates a delightful sensation of freshness in the mouth that is crisp and bright.
Wonderful fruit flavors of ripe Bartlett pears and Meyer lemons and the gentle aromas of orange blossoms and green apples add to the heady mix. Hints of shaved almonds and fresh anise make it a perfect accompaniment to a variety of light spring dishes.
Perfect as a conversation starter for your spring garden party, serve it with a platter of light cheeses, sausages, and cured meats. Slices of ripe pear and an array of soft cheeses on a platter are another great way to start the afternoon.
Segue into a fresh garden salad and then serve angel hair pasta with a lemon butter sauce sprinkled with fresh parsley, oregano or basil and a light grating of Parmesan cheese. Be sure to serve the wine well chilled to show off its full flavor.
Recently, I adorned some warm pasta with lemon scented goat cheese and toasted pine nuts and was treated to a delicious surprise when I tasted the dish with a sip of the wine. It was a flavor revelation!
At $25 a bottle, this 100% Arneis grape wine is an absolute treasure. Made from vines that are roughly 25-30 years old, it has a light and refreshing feel, but it still has enough body to last through the meal. At 13% alcohol, it is no shrinking violet, yet it has a buoyant air. Production is limited, so hurry to your local wine shop to secure a bottle or two and enjoy a toast to the arrival of spring and all of its beautiful blossoms and bounty from the garden. Visit ceretto.com for more.