About 50 km south of Rome lies Le Ferriere, a rare Italian commune with little to no winemaking tradition, until Dino Santarelli founded Casale del Giglio in 1967. With free rein to try whatever he wanted, he rounded up some respected ampelographers and university researchers who planted close to 60 different experimental vines to see which would prosper. Among these, they revived an ancient but mostly forgotten varietal called Bellone, that was praised by none other than Pliny the Elder. After a short maceration, the bunches are gently pressed and fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeast. Straw colored with golden inflections, this medium bodied beauty offers notes of honeysuckle, followed by a palate of ripe tropical fruit and a hint of orange spice. Pairs well with Saltimbocca (marinated veal wrapped with prosciutto and sage) or Vignarola (Lazian fava bean, artichoke, tender lettuce and spring onion warm salad).