Italy is fortunate to have developed hundreds of autochthonous (indigenous) varieties of grapes over the centuries to make local wines. Greco is one such classic grape that originated from Greece and now grows mainly in Campania (known by its capital, Naples, Capri and the Coast of Malfi ). Greco di Tufo is a DOCG appellation in Campania that uses at least 85% of this grape variety. The volcanic soil of Mount Vesuvius gives a unique character to this grape. Many producers in the area ( province of Avellino ) have adopted and exploited this grape to make good to excellent Greco di Tufo wines noteworthy amongst them being Mastroberardino, its family offshoot Terredora and Feudi di San Gregorio.

While the 'Mastro' imported by Sovereign Impex is not yet widely available, Gregorio imported by S V Distributors is more widely available, especially in Mumbai where SVD run by the charming Viveka Rawal Gupta is based.

This wine is dark straw yellow in colour. It has bouquet of peaches, pears and apricots with a shade of vanilla. It is a light bodied, dry and crispy wine with a smooth and elegant mouthfeel on the palate and a distinct flavour of bitter almonds that lingers on. It should be consumed chilled at 10-12 deg C.

It is an excellent aperitif for Indian summers. It matches well with light soups and broths, salads and grilled fish and chicken dishes. I find it a Vegetarians' delight as it goes well with grilled vegetables, pastas with white sauces, asparagus or mushrooms.

It is registered with the excise for retail sales in Mumbai and will be soon available in the shops there. It retails for about US $20 in the USA. At Rs. 3000 it is the lowest priced wine and an excellent value for money, if not the best wine on the Menu of Hotel Intercontinental, Marine Drive, Mumbai.

It is expected to be listed in Olive and a couple of restaurants in Delhi soon, I am told. I strongly recommend this wine, especially as an aperitifand an ice breaker wine.

Subhash Arora