04 Mar Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Velenosi 2024 Villa Angela Pecorino Offida DOCG, Marche

I attended Gambero Rosso’s annual Tre Bicchieri tasting this past week, an industry-only event showcasing Italy’s top wines as awarded in the Vini d’Italia guide. With so many standout bottles in the room, the event is as much about tasting as it is about reconnecting with wine industry friends. As I was chatting with a group of colleagues, one of them gestured behind me and suggested I try a wine. I held out my glass, took a pour, and returned to the conversation. But as soon as I brought the glass to my nose, I stopped mid-sentence. The aromatics were absolutely captivating, and that’s why the Velenosi 2024 Villa Angela Pecorino from Offida DOCG is the Please The Palate wine of the week.

About Velenosi

Founded in 1984, Velenosi was born from Ercole and Angela Velenosi’s desire to create wines that balance precision, character, and a strong sense of place. Joined by Paolo Garbini in 2005, the winery blends artisanal tradition with modern winemaking techniques, reinterpreting classic processes to highlight the identity of the Piceno territory in Marche.

Patience and careful attention define the estate’s philosophy, from vineyard work to cellar decisions, resulting in wines that express intensity and nuance without excess. Velenosi has become one of Marche’s most recognizable producers, known for capturing the region’s aromas, textures, and natural elegance in the glass.

About Pecorino

Pecorino is an indigenous Italian white grape primarily grown in the Marche and Abruzzo. It is prized for producing dry, high-acid, mineral-driven wines. Aromatically expressive, Pecorino often shows citrus, stone fruit, herbs, and white floral notes, paired with a crisp structure and a slightly saline or bitter almond finish.

The grape nearly disappeared in the 1980s before being rediscovered and replanted, and today it is celebrated for its versatility and food-friendly nature. Often compared to Sauvignon Blanc for its freshness, Pecorino can be made in a range of styles, from stainless-steel-driven and linear to more textured, lees-aged expressions.

Tasting Notes

The Velenosi Villa Angela Pecorino Offida DOCG is sourced from vineyards in Ascoli Piceno and Offida, and comes from sites at 200–300 meters above sea level, planted in sandy, medium-textured soils. The grapes are hand-harvested and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel, beginning with indigenous yeasts and finishing with selected yeasts, followed by aging on fine lees.

In the glass, the wine is precise and expressive. Aromas of citrus, white flowers, and fresh herbs immediately draw you in. The palate is dry and medium-bodied, with bright acidity, mineral tension, and a subtly savory finish that lingers. It is focused, refreshing, and quietly complex, exactly the kind of wine that commands attention when you least expect it.

Food Pairing

This Pecorino is an exceptionally versatile wine to enjoy at the table. Its acidity and mineral edge make it a natural pairing for seafood, shellfish, and lighter white meat dishes, while its texture allows it to hold its own with richer preparations. And yes, it also pairs beautifully with Pecorino cheese. In fact, the name of the grape is believed to have from from the word “pecora” (little sheep) who ate the grapes while grazing in the hills.

Where to Purchase

The Velenosi Villa Angela Pecorino retails for appoximately $20 and can be found in different retailers across the US. To find a store near you, visit Wine-Searcher.