A Mediterranean destination that many of us dream of visiting one day. Sicily has well-preserved ancient ruins, famous Mediterranean cuisine, and of course, wine! See below for some wines that will have you falling in love with this special island’s distinct wine style. Saluti!
Planeta La Segreta Il Bianco | $15.99
A blend of native Sicilian (Grecanico & Fiano) as well as other more international grapes (Chardonnay & Viognier). This wine is playful and has youthful citrus and flowery notes, balanced by lively Mediterranean hints of peach, papaya, and chamomile. Drink this as an aperitif or with grilled vegetables and salads.
COS Ramí Terre Siciliane Bianco | $39.99
COS is an acronym for the three founders of this winery, Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti, and Cirino Strano in Vittoria, Sicily. They’re self-taught, trial-by-error types, who are using techniques that no one else really does in the wine industry. They regard the terroir as precious and treat it with great respect, which means they’ve always been practicing organic since the very beginning and also became certified biodynamic in 2007. Ramís is a white made from the local Grecanico and Insolia grapes and is spontaneously fermented and allowed to sit on its skins for over a week. This wine is rich, elegant, and would hold up well to heartier seafood such as swordfish.
COS Frappato Terre Siciliane Bianco | $39.99
Floral, playful, and a chillable red. Another excellent Sicilian seafood wine. Frappato from the Vittoria area of the island that was aged in concrete vats after a spontaneous fermentation. If you like Cru Beaujolais give this a try!
Fuso ‘Cala’ Terre Siciliane Rosso | $17.99
From the Fuso Project, a group that seeks to find daily drinkers made organically with low intervention. This one is made from Nero d’Avola with a touch of Grillo to brighten the heartier grape. You’ll find cranberries, plum, and an earthiness to this wine. Wonderful with a light chill.
Erse Etna Rosso | $22.99
A wine that reflects the volcanic soil from which it is grown. In order for a wine to be classified as Etna Rosso Doc it is required to come from specific zones Sicily’s Mount Etna (between 1,000 and 3,600 feet in elevation) and the wine must be made up of at least 80% Nerello Mascalese. The Erse Etna Rosso has Nerello Mascalese 90%, Nerello Cappuccio 8% and also Minnella and Carricante 2% – which are actually two white indigenous varietals to Sicily. The combination has produced a round and spicy wine!
Feudo Montoni ‘Vrucara’ Nero d’Avola | $62.99
Grown on historic Nero d’Avola vines, this is a signature red from Sicilia. This intense, ruby colored wine is handpicked before pressing with an old wood press. It then spends 42 months in cement vats. A nose filled with notes of red plum and dark berries, vanilla, and eucalyptus is followed by a smooth sip with light acidity and soft tannins. Decant or let this wine breath 45 minutes – 2 hours before serving alongside red meat, salumi, and aged cheeses.
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