Wine with Leslie: Rediscovering an Italian grape that almost went extinct

The Pecorino grape was brought back from the brink of extinction in the past two decades and now fills the wine lists and shelves during my recent visit to Italy

Pecorino is fragrant, has good sugar levels, bright acidity and copes well with heat. Picture: iStock

As I write this, I’m still on an Italian high, having spent the last 10 days in the college city of Pescara in Abruzzo on the Adriatic Sea. My son is studying there (Planetary Geosciences, since you ask), and having a brilliant time.

We could see why he loves it, the weather is warm, the beach is just a few minutes walk from his apartment (and from where we were staying), and the food and wine are excellent and great value.