First of all, why anyone would rather buy a wine with a name like Bitch, Toad, Squirrel Butt, etc. instead of something with a lovely old world name like Pepi Lignana Leopoldino Fattoria il Casalone Maremma is beyond us.
On the other hand, perhaps it's all marketing, and the Europeans are just selling us something different? The Pepi Lignana web site is probably the polar opposite of X Winery: Italian tradition versus California rule breaking; conservative winemaker in a suit versus maverick mixologist. Or, are the Italians (and French and Germans and Spaniards) just doing what they've always done and the new world winemakers need to distinguish themselves instead of trying to compete with centuries of tradition where they can't possibly win?
Who knows, old world versus new world is a never ending debate among the wine geeks. But there's no reason for people to be intimidated by wines with long strings of multiple names in foreign languages, especially when they're priced at $8.99. In our experience of paying closer attention to wine these past two years, the French and Italian wines have had the most consistent quality, even at the modest $15 and under price level. These people have been making wine a long time, they've figured out how to do it.
Names and marketing aside, this is a really nice wine. In the Gruner Veltliner/Pinot Grigio mold, it's soft and refreshing and will pair well with vegetables, seafood, or anything light. It is citrusy but has a nice smooth mouthfeel. At only a little over a dollar a name, it's definitely worth it.
Pepi Lignana Leopoldino Vermentino Maremma 2009
Chairman's SelectionTM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32435
Size: 750ML
Price: $8.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:
Availability in Pennsylvania:
Region: Italy > Tuscany > Maremma
Grape Varieties: Vermentino 88%
Viognier 12%
Oldman recommends Sardinian Vermentino with seafood and as an alternative to Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and gin and tonics. One of Oldman's recommended producers is Sella e Mosca, which happens to be a current Chairman's Selection in Pennsylvania.
