Monastero Suore Cistercensi - Coenobium 'Ruscum' 2022

Country: Italy

Region: Lazio

Grape: Malvasia, Trebbiano, etc

The Monastero Suore Cistercensi Coenobium Ruscum is an orange wine made from Malvasia and Trebbiano grown and produced by nuns in Lazio. The operation is overseen by Giampero Bea of the Paolo Bea winery in Umbria. Orange peel, wild herbs, and a tannic richness all shine on this unique wine. Try with roast pork, grilled veggies or wild game and offal dishes. 

A blend of the same four grapes (Trebbiano, Malvasia, Verdicchio and Grechetto) but, in this instance, the juice is left to ferment on the lees for a period of two weeks or more, extracting all of the flavors, colors and textures of its fruit.  The result is a wine of often deep golden color and penetrating minerality with hints of herbs, particularly anise, and wild flowers.  There are approximately 4,000 bottles produced annually of this cuvée, the overwhelming majority of which comes to the USA.