Brunori Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico ‘Le Gemme’ 2021

Cristina Brunori has her work cut out for her in some ways. Old vines, mineral soil, and the temperate winds of the Adriatic all help produce perfect Verdicchio grapes and she says her job is to not mess up what Mother Nature is so good at making.

Despite the impeccable pedigree, the wines represent some of the best bang for the buck anywhere. I’ve been buying and enjoying these crisp, white wines since the day we opened the restaurant. I’m not alone– Morandi, the Italian branch of Keith McNally’s Balthazar empire’s take more than 100 cases every year as well. It’s no surprise why. Very rarely can one find such aromatic complexity and food friendliness in an under $20 bottle of wine.