Germano Ettore, Langhe DOC (Piedmont, Italy) Nascetta 2017

 This is an intriguing wine with enthralling flavor, depth, and richness from the unique and obscure Nascetta grape.  Nascetta is a native Piedmontese variety that has been rediscovered in recent years and grown on the hills of Novello.  If Grüner Veltliner, Assyrtiko and Chenin Blanc were to have a love child, it would be Nascetta.  The wine opens with a delicate floral bouquet, followed by notes of citrus, stone fruit, sage, and thyme.  It has a beautiful mineral backbone, balanced acidity, and a touch of tannin, as it spends about five days in contact with the skins during fermentation.  It ends with a long and pleasing finish.