(Almost) Lost Italian Grapes: Pecorino

In this first chapter of (Almost) Lost Italian Grapes, a book he's releasing chapter by chapter, author and Italian Wine Ambassador Mike Madaio investigates the amazing resurrection of the Italian grape Pecorino, which, though grown in Central Italy for centuries, has seen a massive influx of interest this century. Madaio tells the story of Guido Cocci Grifoni, the marchigiano grower who discovered records of a native local grape — Pecorino — in the town archives, then tracked it down in an abandoned mountain vineyard. As he began to experiment with this new grape, Cocci Grifoni met resistance from local farmers, winemakers and even the agricultural school. They called him crazy, and forced him to the next region over — Abruzzo — to find any willing partners. But he persisted, then succeeded, and Pecorino is now one of the fastest-growing white wines in Italy.