Celso Bianchello del Metauro Superiore DOC – 2023

Celso Bianchello del Metauro Superiore DOC 2023, the premium selection from the river

The Celso Bianchello del Metauro Superiore DOC 2023 from Azienda Guerrieri is the house's concentrated selection of the Bianchello grape variety. The "Superiore" designation stands for lower yields and greater ripeness in the glass compared to the standard Bianchello – denser, more aromatic, and with more substance.

Celso Bianchello del Metauro Superiore DOC 2023 by Azienda Guerrieri is the house's selection tier within the Bianchello family, named "Celso" after a specific plot along the Metauro river; it is more concentrated and drier than the classic Bianchello del Metauro DOC.

What "Superiore" means for this wine

In Italian wine law, the additional designation "Superiore" is not a marketing term but is tied to strict requirements: lower yields per hectare and a higher minimum alcohol content than the standard DOC. For Celso, this means a stricter selection of grapes and a more concentrated, denser wine.

According to Luca Guerrieri, the grapes for Celso come from a dedicated, particularly sun-exposed plot along the Metauro, where the family has deliberately accepted lower yields for years to achieve greater concentration in the berries. Harvest occurs later than for the standard Bianchello, usually at the beginning of October.

Fermentation takes place in stainless steel at controlled temperatures, just like the standard Bianchello, but Celso is subsequently aged on its fine lees for longer – months instead of weeks – which gives it more creaminess on the palate without losing acidity. This step ultimately makes the biggest difference between the two Bianchello tiers.

Concentrated, dry, and with more depth

On the palate, Celso is spicy, powerful, and dense, with significantly more substance than the classic Bianchello. With only 3.5 g/l of residual sugar, it is noticeably drier, while the slightly higher alcohol content provides more fullness in the mouth.

Celso demonstrates its strength when paired with grilled sea bass or sea bream, a fish soup with saffron, or seared scallops – dishes where a standard Bianchello would quickly seem too thin. It also unfolds its depth when paired with an aged Pecorino from the Marche region or a hearty, spicy fish soup.

From the same producer, it pairs perfectly with a plate of Spaghetti n.7 made from Senatore Cappelli with mussels, or a spoonful of Miele Millefiori with a mild goat cheese as a finish.

A dedicated plot within the estate

The Guerrieri family has been managing their estate on the Metauro since around 1800, now in its 6th generation under Luca Guerrieri and his children, Alberto and Maria Giulia. Of the 207 hectares, 48 hectares are dedicated to vines, a small portion of which is reserved for Celso.

The winery has been farming sustainably since 2004, without the use of chemical fertilizers. For you as a connoisseur, this means a smaller but significantly more concentrated bottling than the standard Bianchello – a wine for occasions that deserve a bit more attention than an everyday aperitivo, and one that also keeps well in the cellar for a year or two.

If you would like to compare the difference directly, you can also find the classic Bianchello del Metauro DOC from the same estate in the Azienda Guerrieri wine collection.

a white wine and its values

• Origin Italy
• Region Marche
• Appellation Bianchello del Metauro Superiore DOC
• Winery Azienda Guerrieri
• Vintage 2023
• Grape Variety Bianchello (Biancame)
• 12.5% vol. alcohol
• 6.9 g/l acidity
• 3.5 g/l residual sugar