This is exactly the kind of white wine that I’m on the lookout for at Costco; something a little off the beaten path, usually found in the wooden bins after you’ve passed all the California Chardonnay. We found another one of these just the other week.
I’ve stated before here that I’d love to start seeing more interesting whites carried in warehouses; Vermentino, Gruner Veltliner, Arneis, Soave, Gavi, Viognier…just to name a few that are top of mind. There always seems to be plenty of unique red wines, but not as many whites.
Here’s a Pinot Blanc from Alto Adige, Italy that semi-falls in this bracket of interesting whites, depending on how you define “interesting.” Regardless, this is a great find.
Costco’s price is $14.99 which seems to be almost half of the retail that is around $29. A few outlets online carry it for around $20. The wine also received 93 points from Wine Advocate, and past vintages seem to have pulled down a lot of 90+ ratings too.
This wine pours a medium straw color in the glass; not a ton on the nose, some stone fruit, light floral aromas; super crisp in the mouth where this one really comes alive. Flavors of pear, nectarine, and a little blue raspberry towards the mid palate; finishes nice and dry.
If you enjoy crisp, dry Italian white wines, this one is going to be right up your alley.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 89 points
Costco item number: 1077351
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA
Alc. 13.5%
Rich F.
Saturday 21st of August 2021
I've had about 6 of these over the last month....it's a bargain. I'd go 91 considering value and just the fact that it's not another Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.
Douglas
Saturday 21st of August 2021
Here in Northern VA, they have: https://www.umanironchi.com/en/wines/vini_abruzzo/pecorino_vellodoro. If you like Albarino, Gruners, Arneis, you will like the Pecorino grape from the Marche & Abruzzo regions along the Adriatic. And the Roero Arneis: https://www.vietti.com/en/wines/roero-arneis/roero-arneis-2020/ Although Costco prices are not really lower than other places on these particular wines.
Douglas
Saturday 21st of August 2021
FYI: Cantina Terlano - Pinot Bianco Rarity 2007 Price: $199.99
Wine Advocate's Monica Larner wrote of this wine last year, "This is indeed one of the greatest achievements in vino italiano, and it will break any preconceived notions one might have about Italian white wines." It continues to impress in this vintage.
Wine Advocate: 97 Points The 2007 Alto Adige Terlano Pinot Bianco Rarity is a work of true beauty. This aspirational wine (with a mere 3,330 bottles in existence) offers incredible aromatic intensity and complexity with Meyer lemon, plantain or unripe banana, orchard fruit, sour crab apple and even a touch of freshly shucked peas. Of course, there is plenty of that characteristic chalky minerality that is so specific to wines made in the Italian Dolomites. The mouthfeel is broad and pliant with a large expanse. It shows much of the added volume and creaminess you can expect of a carefully aged wine. However, this wine never reveals its true age, and it would be almost impossible to guess that this is a 13-year-old white wine.
Vinous: 94 Points "The 2007 Pinot Bianco Rarity is gorgeous. The wine spent ten years aging in large barrels on its lees, and today it needs a little time in the glass to unfold; but once it does, you realize the wait was well worth it. A complex mix of apricot and smoked almond skins opens further to reveal savory notes of ginger, dried yellow flowers, crushed stone and a whiff of salty sea air. It’s texturally stunning, seeming weighty at times and then remarkably fresh and lifted; while the longer it sits in the glass, the deeper it becomes. There’s an intriguing contrast of dry, concentrated white orchard fruits against a bitter coating of liquid florals with a mineral twang. The senses buzz with residual tension, like a reverberation of all the flavors and aromas experienced throughout."
https://www.cbcwine.com/wines/Cantina-Terlano-Pinot-Bianco-Rarity-2007-w22533704r
Susan Bb
Saturday 21st of August 2021
Wish I could get some of what I read about on the East Coast. I have spoken to the wine guy at my Costco about getting more whites a couple of times. I'm a fan of Sauvignon Blanc, and they don't even have a lot of those. But how about Vermintino, Albarino, Viognier to name a few. I did try the Kirkland Prosecco Rose at your recommendation and found it to be delicious, as well as the Kirkland Sancerre. Thanks for the great wine info!
Michael
Saturday 21st of August 2021
I read the blog emails whenever they come out, but my inner editor is struggling not to go off on a multi-level rant about this phrase in the review: "There always seems to be plenty of unique red wines...."