Review of Ciù Ciù Oris 2015

We received the product for review and all opinions are our own.

Italy has made its tremendous mark on the world of wine for how long now? Forever it seems! The diversity of terroir and sheer number of native grape varieties truly make Italy one of the most loved, and quite possibly one of the most difficult to study wine regions on the planet. Not only is it an important wine producing country, but many of Texas’ most loved wine grapes originally came from, or are also grown in Italy. Trebbiano, Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Dolcetto, and Aglianico are all grapes that grow well both in Italy, and in the great state of Texas. Speaking of Trebbiano, let’s get to the wine review shall we?

Ciù Ciù (pronounced choo choo) is a winery located within the Le Marche wine region of Italy. The winery was founded in 1970 by the Bartolomei family, and has continued to be family owned and operated since then. The name Ciù Ciù is a playful word used within the family that means “to sip” in some dialects, which is the reason the family used that name for the winery. The estate vineyards cover over 150 hectares, nestled within the Rosso Piceno Superiore area.

The wine up for review is one of the family’s esteemed wines called Oris. We were super excited to check out this particular wine because it is a blend based mainly on Trebbiano, which has been on the rise in Texas winemaking for some time now. Trebbiano provides pretty aromatics and solid acidity, which makes it a great player for a white wine blend.

Once the corked is pulled, this wine pours into the glass a beautiful straw color. The nose is fragrant tossing around notes of bright citrus fruits, fresh flowers, stone fruit, and a hint of pine. The palate confirms the nose almost exactly. Powerful mineral components drive the mouthfeel, with a soft salinity on the finish. The wine is complex and bright on the tongue. It offers a subtle, ever lingering finish.

Specifications:

• Ciù Ciù Oris, 2015 vintage
• Winemaker: N/A
• Appellation: Italy, Le Marche, Rosso Piceno Superiore
• Terroir: Rolling hills, mixed soils at 300 meters above sea level
• Grape varieties: 50% Trebbiano, 30% Passerina, 20% Pecorino
• Barrels: N/A
• Clarity/Brightness: Clear/bright, with no detectable flaws, and no evidence of gas or sediment.
• Tannins: N/A
• Acidity: Medium plus
• Alcohol: Medium
• Finish: Very long
• Alcohol by volume: 13.0%
• Price: N/A

This wine is built for fresh seafood and cream based pastas. The freshness it offers on the palate, along with bright acidity and a full mouth-feel make this a stunner for the patio on a warm spring day, or a brilliant pairing partner for your favorite Alfredo dish. I highly recommend this wine as the quality and balance are definitely present, and the wine could age for several years more.

Italian wines like this one can offer great value to the wine consumer, as premium wines don’t necessarily have to be Barolo or Chianti. Wine regions such as Le Marche produce stunners, many using grape varieties native to that region itself. Don’t be afraid to venture out to the lesser known. After all, some of the world’s most storied wines have been produced off the beaten path.

Sip, savor, and enjoy my fellow aficionados.