It has been a while since we featured Italian Rosé (aka Rosato) in club, so for this month we are featuring some exciting wines from Sicily. The Italian island of Sicily, located off the southern tip of mainland Italy, is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It’s best known for its ashy, volcanic terrain, coastal sea breezes, and mountainous terrain. A renowned culinary and enological legacy, the island had lured travelers and conquerors over millennia, and each left an indelible mark onto its rich cultural tapestry. Sicily is also the largest wine region in Italy by landmass - one that is poised to expand as wine enthusiasts look for new territories and unexpected flavors. A true microcosm of Italy, Sicily can be described as a “viticultural continent.” The region is home to 23 DOCs scattered over a handful of regions, the most well known of which are Etna, Marsala, and Vittoria.
Located on the northeastern coast of Sicily, Mt. Etna is the tallest and most active volcano in Europe. A fascinating land, it is particularly fertile thanks to the numerous lava flows. The Etna DOC consists of small areas called districts, and it represents an important portion of the wine growing industry in Sicily. The area is located within the Etna Park, a protected natural area, to be safeguarded as much as possible. Here, it is possible to ski while overlooking the sea, a unique and breathtaking view.
From the terraced slopes of the Etna volcano, indigenous and ancient vines produce an elegant style wine that leverages the rich volcanic soils and mountain/hill side fruit. Sicilian winemakers primarily use the indigenous Nero d’Avola, Nerello Mascalese, and Carricante grape varieties to produce elegant and racy rosato wines with a deep pink color and savory flavors. However, sometimes they also blend international varieties like Syrah into their wines.
Think Pink!
Carrie Upson-General Manager
|
Region/Country of Origin: Sicily, Italy |
About the Winery: The Tasca family currently owns four parcels, located in the contrade (a small subdivision of a commune, based on various defining criteria such as elevation, cultural/historic significance, or the age of past lava flows) of Pianodario and Sciaranova in Randazzo, and Rampante and Grasà in Castiglione. The vineyards are mostly at elevations between 2450-2600 feet on the 11,000 foot mountain. All are certified as sustainable under SOStain, a Sicilian-based program that rates wineries and vineyards based on their impact to the environment. The most notable grape planted here is Nerello Mascalese. About the Winemaking: 100% Nerello Mascalese. Direct pressing of the grapes, fermentation process for white wine using the free-run must. The wine sees Battonage every 10 days for 4 months before again for another 5 months in stainless steel tanks. Tasting Notes: The 2021 Rosato Etna Tefra is remarkably pretty, with sweet smoke and melon complemented by hints of crushed almond and candied citrus. While silky in feel, a burst of brilliant acidity and salty mineral tones add a reverberation of tension, as orchard fruits and inner florals settle in toward the close. There’s a richness that lasts through the finale, seldom found in a Rosato, as the Tefra tapers off with a saline flourish that keeps the mouth watering for more. This is the magic of Nerello Mascalese Rosato. “Intense and tangy red fruits are defined by saline acidity and a touch of structure, with a long, mineral finish” 93 Points Decanter Magazine |
|
Winemaker: Laura Orsi with Carlo Ferrini, consulting winemaker |
|
|
Price: $24 btl /$259.20 case |
|
|
Suggested Food Pairing: Sicilian “Pasta alla Norma” Chicken Parmesan Heirloom Panzanella Salad |
|
|
Region/Country of Origin: Terre Siciliane IGT, Italy |
About the Winemaker: Poggio Anima is a joint venture between one of Tuscany's rising stars, Riccardo Campinoti of Le Ragnaie in Montalcino and his U.S.A. importer Ronnie Sanders of Vine Street Imports. The idea is straightforward: to source great vineyards from existing relationships and produce a real wine that conveys a place and a grape. These wines are not bulk wines or leftover juice from a winery; instead, they are the result of long-standing relationships with reputable and respected growers throughout Italy. About the Winemaking:. Compromised of 86% Syrah and 14% Moscato from Castellammare and Salemi, the grapes were all handpicked and brought back to the cellar for immediate pressing. The musts fermented together in stainless steel at 15 deg C, after a static sedimentation at 5 deg C. Fermentation was carried out for 15 days, after which the wine aged for three months in tank prior to being bottled with a light fining, coarse filtration and reasonable addition of sulfur. Sustainable and practicing organic. Tasting Notes: Light pink. Peppery and floral notes complement red berries on the nose and in the mouth. This wine is round and juicy, with the light red fruit flavors and floral notes carrying through on the persistent finish, which features an underbrush nuance. Firm acid holds it all together to make it the perfect glass of rosé. |
|
Winemaker: Riccardo Campinot |
|
|
Price: $16 btl/ $172.80 case |
|
|
Suggested Food Pairing: BBQ Chicken wings Prawn curry |
|
