Highlights
- Pecorino is a white wine grape variety, not a type of cheese or a wine category.
- It is an Italian grape associated especially with Marche and Abruzzo.
- Wines made from Pecorino are often dry, fresh and naturally high in acidity.
- They can also have noticeable palate weight and texture.
- Common descriptions include floral, ripe-fruit, spicy, almond-like and mineral characters.
- Australian Pecorino exists, but it remains a relatively uncommon alternative variety.
- Climate, harvest timing and winemaking can make one Pecorino taste quite different from another.
Quick answer
Pecorino is an Italian white wine grape variety. It is historically associated with central-eastern Italy, particularly the regions of Marche and Abruzzo, although it is also grown elsewhere in Italy and in small plantings outside the country.
Pecorino commonly produces dry white wines with lively acidity, freshness and a moderately rich or textural palate. Depending on where it is grown and how it is made, a bottle may show floral aromas, ripe fruit, spice, almond-like notes or mineral character. Some examples can have a slightly bitter finish.
The name can be confusing: Pecorino is also the name of several Italian sheep’s-milk cheeses. The grape and the cheese are separate products, and Pecorino wine does not necessarily taste like pecorino cheese.
Where does Pecorino come from?
Pecorino appears to have originated in central-eastern Italy and is most strongly associated with Marche and Abruzzo. The variety was revived from the late 1980s after a period of decline and is now found in several other Italian regions, including Puglia, Umbria and Lazio.
You may also see regional wine designations connected with the grape, such as Pecorino di Offida in Marche. That is a regional wine designation, not another name for the grape itself.
“Pecorino” is the useful name to look for on a label. In Australia, it may appear alongside an Australian geographical indication or regional name. The word alone does not mean the wine comes from Italy.
What does Pecorino wine taste like?
Pecorino is usually made as a dry white wine with noticeable acidity. That acidity gives the wine freshness and energy, while the grape can also contribute more palate richness and texture than the word “crisp” might suggest.
Depending on the vineyard and winemaking, you might find:
- citrus or ripe-fruit characters
- floral aromas
- spice
- almond-like notes
- mineral impressions
- a gentle bitter note on the finish
These are tendencies, not a fixed recipe. A fresh, simply made Pecorino may feel bright and delicate, while lees contact, oak, skin contact or other techniques can make the wine broader, more textured or more complex. Climate, site and picking decisions also affect the balance between acidity, fruit character and alcohol.
Why is the grape interesting to growers?
Pecorino ripens relatively early and can retain high natural acidity. Industry sources also report thick skins and useful performance in warmer conditions, although vineyard results always depend on the site and season.
For a drinker, the practical takeaway is that Pecorino can combine freshness with some richness. That makes it more varied than a simple “light and crisp” description suggests.
Is Pecorino grown in Australia?
Yes. Pecorino is recognised as an alternative white grape variety in Australia, and commercial plantings or production have been documented in places including Heathcote, the Hunter Valley and the Adelaide Hills.
It remains a relatively uncommon variety rather than a major nationally established grape. Australian examples may range from fresh and floral to more textural styles, depending on the region and the winemaker’s choices.
How should you serve Pecorino?
Serve it chilled, but avoid making it so cold that its aromas and texture disappear. It can be a good starting point with seafood, lighter poultry, salads or fresh cheeses, particularly when the dish is not heavily spiced or intensely flavoured.
Think of these as pairing ideas rather than rules. A lighter Pecorino and a richer, more textural Pecorino may work best with different foods.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pecorino a white or red grape?
Pecorino is a white wine grape.
Is Pecorino the same as pecorino cheese?
No. They share a name but are separate products. Pecorino wine is made from grapes, while pecorino cheese is made from sheep’s milk.
Is Pecorino a sweet wine?
Usually, Pecorino is made as a dry white wine, although the final impression can vary with ripeness and winemaking.
Is Pecorino the same grape everywhere in Italy?
Not necessarily. The supplied industry reference notes that “Pecorino” used in Calabria can refer to Greco Bianco rather than the central-Italian Pecorino variety. Context matters when reading the name.