Pecorino Offida DOC produced in Castelfarneto is a single-variety wine made by Pecorino grapes cultivated in the hilly country of the province of Ascoli Piceno, on strong and clay soil, exposed to South-East. The maturation of this wine begins in stainless steel tanks for 4 months, followed by at least 3 months of bottle aging. Pale yellow in color with visible greenish reflection, this wine is fragrant and intense at the nose, with pronounced fruity aromas typical of this variety. Its flavor is full body, quite acid (which is a typical deficiency of many wines made by Pecorino grape) fresh, quite soft, tasty and balanced. The alcohol by volume is 13,5% , they suggest to serve this wine at the temperature of 10-12 degree. You can find it on the market at the good price of minimum 6 € and maximum 11€ per bottle.
Pecorino IGT Terre di Chieti by Cantina Tollo is also a single-variety wine made by Pecorino grapes cultivated in the Vineyards around the district of Tollio, on chalky and clay soil, exposed to South-West. Unlike the previous wine, it matures 6 months on the yeast, even if this action doesn’t seem to have the desired effect in the wineglass. The color is the classic pale yellow, the aroma is scarcely intense and short, we can smell fruity aromas that however disappear in a flash without leaving its mark. With the taste-analysis there is once again the problem of a poor persistence and it is quite lacking and unbalanced, despite a pleasant almond flavor at the end. The Alcohol by volume is 13,5% and they suggest to serve it at the temperature of 12°, slightly higher than Castelfarneto, in order to bring out the final flavor. The market price is about the same of the previous wine (7€/12€).
In summary: in this case Marche defeat Abruzzo (above all with regards to the quality/price ratio), even if Cantina Tollo has many other excellent wines anyway.