The Little Wine Company Pecorino 2022

Not the most common variety but a most interesting one. This rare Italian variety got its name from sheep. Pecora apparently is Italian for sheep, hence why we have a similarly named cheese as it comes from sheep’s milk, which were brought up and down mountains, next to vineyards. Whatever its history, it is obviously thriving in the Hunter Valley and with early successes like this. Hopefully we will see it more widely planted here. The juice is removed from the skins as quickly as possible before inoculation with neutral yeasts before a cool – 14°C – fermentation in stainless steel. To rachet up the texture, the wine is left on its lees for a further ten weeks before bottling.

An appealing yellow in colour, there are hints of florals and almonds along with crisp pear notes plus citrus and garden herbs. The texture is indeed a highlight, seamless and seductive, with a line of fine acidity running the length. Nicely balanced, this is attractive now but will continue to drink well over the next couple of years. Definitely worth exploring.

Ken Gargett

Contributor at Winepilot

Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.

Wine writer and critic