Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Bisson “ü Pastine” Bianchetta Genovese 2023
Portofino DOC, Liguria, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A rare white wine made from 100% Bianchetta Genovese, an indigenous Ligurian grape, cultivated in steep coastal vineyards above Portofino. The “U Pastine” bottling highlights winemaker Pierluigi Lugano’s commitment to reviving traditional Ligurian varieties. Fresh, saline, and deeply tied to its maritime terroir.

Aromas & Flavors
Fragrant notes of citrus zest, green apple, white peach, and Mediterranean herbs. Subtle accents of sea spray and crushed rocks give the wine its unmistakable Ligurian identity.

Mouthfeel
Light-bodied, crisp, and energetic with zippy acidity. The finish is marked by a refreshing saline minerality and a delicate citrus lift.

Winemaking Notes
Hand-harvested grapes from terraced vineyards overlooking the sea. Vinified in stainless steel to preserve freshness and purity of fruit. Bisson is also known for the famous Abissi Metodo Classico — a sparkling wine aged in the sea off Portofino — though U Pastine is a still white wine, equally unique in its coastal character.

Food Pairing
Perfect with Ligurian seafood classics — anchovies, branzino, or seafood pasta with pesto. Also excellent with raw oysters, fresh mozzarella, and light salads.

Verdict
A vibrant, terroir-driven Ligurian gem that captures the essence of sea, sun, and stone. Refreshing, honest, and endlessly food-friendly — a must-try for lovers of coastal Italian wines. — 2 months ago

Ericsson

9.1

Going big on a Monday with sum salt crusted Branzino and White Burgundy by one of my favorite producers. The Chardonnay is round with slight citrus notes, deep acidity and a honey suckle finish. Absolutely delightful pairing. — 3 years ago

Chris MacLean

9.0

Not as good as I expected with fried calamari and shrimp. It grew rounder and less focused the more I ate. Much better with branzino al sale. — 4 years ago

with Sarah

Joshua Figg

9.3

Starts with lots of mineral and citrus notes, crisp all the way through. Paired to perfection with Branzino. — 2 years ago

Evelyn Frison

9.7

Two part review!
1. BF that knows about wine: Great.
2. Me that knows nothing: Good. Paired with “What We Do in the Shadows” and homemade branzino and scallops. Unmemorable but nice for this night. — 3 years ago

Ericsson

9.3

Very round and progressively open White Burgundy. Pairs with salt baked Branzino with cappers and lemon. C’est magnifique. — 3 years ago

Michael Fiur

10

Smooth white. Trattoria Tramonto. With pizza and branzino — 4 years ago

Holly Gamblin

10

@Estiatorio Milos in Miami enjoying this lovely Sancerre with our Dover Sole and Branzino. This has got to be the lightest, feathery Sancerre we’ve ever had. Sancerre is my favorite for many reasons. Just a beautiful wine for any time of year but beckons you to the beach and a warm breeze. — 3 years ago

Bo Hemian

9.1

A really lovely value skin contact from Slovenia. Delicate oak on the nose, one expects a bit of sweetness but it is bone dry and acidic. It’s surprising but turns out to be great for food (branzino for us). Super clean and elegant for a skin contact wine. Curious if anyone has had an aged bottle… would consider cellaring a couple bottles. — 3 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.2

Crisp, clean, dancing across the palate with zippy acidity. Lemon, yuzu, grapefruit…. Low ABV. Laser-like sharpness cleanses the richness of cacio Pepe and black olive branzino…1200 ft vineyards…absolutely brilliant! — 3 years ago