All you need to know about Passerina: the wine, the grape variety and the characteristics of the queen of the Marche
One of the most popular and appreciated white wines in the whole Adriatic area is Passerina, an ancient grape variety from which you get a very fresh wine. Not very structured, but fragrant, defined by delicious floral and fruity suggestions. Expect a harmonious and graceful symphony rather than a strong, decisive, dense wine like Verdicchio or Pecorino. When it comes to Passerina, the watchword is elegance.
The main places where it is made are Le Marche and Abruzzo, where the sea adds saltiness and a pleasant flavor. Until a few years ago, before the rebirth of autochthonous vines, Passerina was used as a blending grape to add elegance; today, many vintners produce varietal Passerina to enhance its strong aromatic qualities.
The history of the Passerina grape
Thanks to the promiscuity of the vines in the same vineyard and the abundant yield, Passerina has been confused with Trebbiano for years and has been given the name Pagadebit (pay debt), thanks to its ability to make farmers collect cash with very generous harvests. Today it is the subject of great attention, and it got the DOCG in the Marche with the Offida Passerina DOCG, then the DOC Falerio dei Colli Ascolani, and in Abruzzo we have the DOC Controguerra Passerina.
The thousand faces of Passerina
Passerina is a ductile wine, and we find it still with fragrant and sharp wines thanks to experiments and courage. Or sparkling to enhance its acidity and aromas, adding the charm of yeasts. And lastly, we recommend trying Passerina passito (late harvest), a delicious sweet wine.
The latter is certainly the most fascinating, a very rich and opulent dessert wine, full of ripe suggestions, caramelized and candied citrus fruits, which are counterbalanced by freshness, salty echoes, and a spicy touch. Let’s just say Malvasia passito has nothing to envy it.
The bouquet of Passerina wine
Recognizing Passerina wine is quite simple: its main aromas are apricot, peach, pear, then hints of honey, white flowers, thyme, sage, broom, citrus fruits. Everything is precise and intense: this is a wine with a strong aromatic profile but a delicate delicacy.
What does Passerina wine taste like?
On the palate, it is fresh, delicate, not too structured, never rude, with a mineral finish where blossom almonds and flowers appear. Persistence is good, but it is not an aged wine, so do not expect very concentrated or buttery wines.
Passerina food pairings
Excellent acidity, subtle flavor, liveliness, a light and agile body, and wonderful aromas: these are all characteristics that make this wine an excellent companion to fish. On the other hand, we are always in the Marche region, how could it be otherwise? Pair the Passerina with carbonara; paccheri stuffed with swordfish, pine nuts, and raisins; tagliolini with squid; marinara risotto; rice and bisi; paella.
It will not be the noblest or most complex of wines, but it is a very pleasant wine, perfect as an aperitif, for finger food or as a wine suitable for any informal occasion: uncork a well-frozen bottle of Passerina and serve it with seafood and you will love it!