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Italy has long been the wine peninsula and known as one of the world’s great wine producers.
Recently, neighboring Sicily has emerged from the shadow of the mainland with high quality wines made from native grapes. Here is the opportunity for you to discover some of the wide range of unique representations, both white and red. First of all, the white grapes.
Grillo, a major component of Marsala, features delicate citrus, apples, tropical fruits, and refreshing acidity.
• Tasca d’Almerita “Mozia†2019 ($ 22) fresh, rich, nutty.
• 2020 Di Giovana “Vurria†($ 20) organically grown grapes, spicy, hazelnut.
• Irmà na 2019 ($ 13) smoked and herbal.
Malvasia, an ancient grape native to the Mediterranean, is most often vinified sweet, but the deliciously dry 2019 Tenuta Capofaro “Didyme†($ 26), from the neighboring island of Salina, nicely reveals floral peach and apricot. signature of the grape variety.
Carricante, which has grown around Mount Etna since ancient times, is distinguished by its lively citrus, floral and herbaceous characteristics. The 2019 Tenuta Tascante “Buonora†($ 21) is quite refreshing, with a savory herbal flavor and a distinctive salty element.
Nero d’Avola is the most recognizable and widely planted red grape. It is often made fresh, juicy and with red berries. Cantine Settisoli’s 2017 Mandrarossa “Cartagho†($ 26) is a selection of grapes from the best vineyards vinified to show darker fruit, remarkable tobacco and fine tannins.
Nerello mascalese is undoubtedly the red variety best suited to the volcanic slopes of Etna. Tight and energetic with fruity red berries, herbal and mineral undertones, the 2017 Tenuta Tascante “Ghiaia Nera” ($ 21) is firm but with elegant tannins.
The Frappato tends to be exuberantly fruity, floral and light, an ideal wine to sip in a relaxed atmosphere. A good example comes from Irmà na (2019, $ 13), the hand-picked label from Corvo. If you like Beaujolais, you should like this one.
Sardinia also deserves attention. Although home to a wide variety of native grape varieties, vermentino is the characteristic white grape and cannonau, the local name for grenache, is the key red grape.
Vermentino has been cultivated in Sardinia for centuries. Notes of lemon, peach and apple join savory and salty undertones with refreshing acidity, in styles ranging from light to medium bodied. The 2020 Surrau “Limizzani” ($ 16) is a blend of fruit from the estate’s vineyards showing some weight and chalky notes. The 2019 Surrau “Sciala” ($ 27) is a selection of the best fruits from the estate with passion fruit and sherry qualities.
Cannonau is even more planted than the vermentino. Usually with low acidity and high alcohol, the flavors can range from fruity to rich, with spicy earthy notes. The 2019 “Naracu†Surrau ($ 16) is an open and fresh expression. The 2019 Surrau Rosso ($ 27), a blend of carignano and muristellu, is more structured and spicier.
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