Grape blend: Vermentino, Viognier
Alcohol content: 13% vol
Acidity: 4.84 g/l
Residual sugars: 0.49 g/l
The island of Sicily is the “mother” of these semi-aromatic grapes, which smell of flowers and summer fruit, and owe their sapid freshness and minerality to their homeland, so close to the sea. The vineyards are situated near the temple of Segesta and the city of Trapani. In 2022, unlike in the rest of Italy, here the Vermentino (which is enhanced by roughly 15% of Viognier grapes) was able to benefit from a fair amount of rainfall, even though the heat in June affected the size of the grapes. The 2 varieties were picked early in the morning and pressed whole in order to preserve the integrity of their aromas. The noble lees were constantly re-dissolved in the wine, by means of “bâtonnage”, in order to control oxidation naturally and avoid using sulphites during this phase; this also enriches the wine with sweet polysaccharides and complex aromas.
Tasting – Colour: strong golden yellow with greenish highlights. The nose: saline, Mediterranean, with a hint of tropical fruit and citrus – lemon peel and blossom, citron – and a delicate note of mastic. In the mouth: fresh like a sea breeze, soft with just a touch of flint and excellent drinkability.
Wine and Food Pairing – Being Sicilian, it adores the dishes of its homeland: fried fish and squash blossoms stuffed with ricotta, seafood salad, grilled fish, octopus with potatoes and artichokes, typical “arancini” rice balls (with ragu and peas, or saffron and pecorino). It also heightens the flavour of pasta with wild fennel pesto and sardines, or linguine with seafood carbonara.