# Maria Ernesta Berucci Bianco Capolongo (2025)

- **Producer:** Azienda Agricola Maria Ernesta Berucci
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Capolongo
- **Region:** Lazio, Italy
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.0%
- **Average price:** €34
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** peach, lemon, orange, herbaceous, fennel, bread, biscuit

## About this wine

Azienda Agricola Maria Ernesta Berucci is located in Piglio, within Lazio's Ciociaria region at the foot of Monte Scalambra. While the Berucci family history in local viticulture traces back to the 15th century, the estate was revitalized in 2009 by Maria Ernesta Berucci alongside her geologist husband, Geminiano Montecchi. The estate practices agro-homeopathy, an eco-centric philosophy utilizing natural endophytes and propolis remedies to boost vine resilience without synthetic chemicals or heavy machinery. This bottling highlights Capolongo, an ancient native white grape variety rescued from near extinction.

## Interesting facts

- Capolongo is an ancient native white grape of Lazio that was nearly extinct before recent restoration efforts.
- The estate practices agro-homeopathy, treating vines with self-produced remedies like bee propolis.
- The Berucci family history of grape growing in Piglio dates back to the 15th century.

## Food pairing

The vibrant acidity and fine phenolic texture of Capolongo cut through the rich fats in pork and roasted seafood while complementing savory aged sheep cheeses.

## Wine making process

Hand-harvested without heavy machinery to protect vineyard soils. The grapes undergo brief skin maceration before spontaneous fermentation in unlined concrete tanks using indigenous yeasts. The wine ages on its fine lees in concrete, with cellaring operations aligned with lunar phases. Bottled unfined and unfiltered with minimal added sulfites (<25 mg/L total SO2).