Verdeca is one of those wine grapes one discovers only when they taste it on its home territory- in this case, around the wonderful hill towns overlooking the crystal blue Adriatic in Puglia, at the heel of Italy’s boot.  You’ll probably have your first swallow without actually knowing even what it is, most likely at the recommendation of the old lady who runs the gorgeous restaurant on whose patio you are sitting.  There might be a platter of freshly grilled San Pietro or steaming salty-spicy Orecchiette pasta with anchovy, rapini and breadcrumbs in front of you.  And the wine will taste like liquid magic:  Like someone had managed to cram the very essence of that stunning whitewashed village, that sky so blue it hurts and the saltiness of the churning sea below right into your wine glass!  Yes, that’s Verdeca.  PRIMA fans here in the good ol’ United States may have already experienced this epiphany with the Verdeca of Li Veli, one of the largest, highest profile producers in the region.  But today we’d like to introduce you to I Pastini, one of the region’s smallest.  The father and son Carparelli own this tiny masseria on the trulli-lined road that winds between Locorotondo and Martina Franca, two of the aforementioned scenic villages where you might have first sampled Verdeca.  The Carparellis planted their vines in 2001 and farm it organically amongst an olive grove that dates back before the Romans.  In order to keep the whites fresh and zingy, the winemaking couldn’t be simpler. The grapes are fermented in tank, kept cool and prevented from undergoing malolactic fermentation.  They are then aged in bottle for three months before release. Verdeca gets its name from the unique green verde color of the grapes when they ripen, and that translates into the unique green-gold tint of the finished wine and its herbaceous freshness- like a fresh chiffonade of basil was dropped in there- as well as its attractive floral and saline notes.  Light to medium in body, it’s lively, aromatic and delicious.  If you can’t visit Locorotondo for your own grilled San Pietro this fall, just pretend you’re there and grill your own fresh fish, make a green herbed salad or prepare a classic linguine in clam sauce.  This lovely white is also a strong candidate for drinking all on its own. 
And to complete our mini Giro d’Puglia, how about……