Ronco Margherita Belbianco Bianco 21

It's fair to say that if you're a white wine drinker, you've probably enjoyed at least a glass or two of Pinot Grigio from Friuli Venezia Giulia. While the region is famous for Pinot Grigio, you'll be drinking Friulano if you prefer to drink like a native from Friuli. This zippy, herb-tinged white, also known as Sauvignon Vert and Sauvignonasse in parts of Eastern Europe, is rarely seen outside Friuli.

Ronco is a name sliced directly out of American pop culture, and for those of us in a certain age bracket, it's synonymous with the suffix "-O-Matic." I can assure you; this lovely Italian white wine doesn't end in "-O-Matic," and has nothing in common with a guy named Ron, hawking kitchen accessories on late-night infomercials!

The Ronco Margherita winery was founded in 2009 by Alessandro Bellio and his wife Margherita, and they're true champions of the local grape varietals, especially Friulano. Their estate is located in Pinzano al Taliamento, a tiny village in the hills of Friuli Venezia Giulia and is considered a benchmark of quality for the entire region.

Friuli Venezia Giulia is incredibly well suited for viticulture thanks to the area's proximity to the Dolomites and the Alps in the north and the moderating influence of the Adriatic Sea in the south. The resulting warm summer days and cool evenings are perfect for making those crisp, fresh whites we all love.

The Ronco Margherita "Belbianco" is an equal blend of Friulano and Chardonnay, and this is where it starts to get interesting. You can almost think of this as an easy-going Bordeaux White. The zippy and zesty Fruilano acts as the Sauvignon Blanc and the richer, riper Chardonnay plays the part of the Semillion.

In your glass, this summer thirst-quencher is fresh and vibrant with notes of citrus, peach, and pear on the nose. The palate is nicely balanced with fruit, acidity, and minerals, all in balance. There's a gorgeous hint of almond and marzipan that lingers in the clean, dry finish.

This vibrant white will be one of our go-to summer sippers. It will pair well with cool summer salads, chicken salad, white-fleshed fish, and spicy Thai and Indian.