Sicily lies just off the toe of Italy’s boot. Having just enjoyed watching more than two weeks of Olympic sports, I can’t help but think of Sicily as the rugby ball (or misshapen soccer ball) at Italy’s toe. Sicily is more correctly described as the largest island in the Mediterranean and is home to a variety of indigenous white and red grapes that make interesting wines. Today, we are tasting two white wines that are refreshing, will pair beautifully with a meal and offer flavor profiles that are a bit different than what you might usually sip. We received both wines as tasting samples.
Sicily’s warm, dry climate is hospitable to lots of red and white grape varieties, and slightly more red wine is made here than white wine. If you are acquainted with the red wines from Etna DOC surrounding Mt. Etna you certainly know Nerello Mascalese. Nero d’Avola is the another widely-planted red variety and is the blending partner with Frappato that makes Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Sicily’s only DOCG wine. When looking for Sicilian white wines you will come across varieties like Grillo, Catarratto, Carricante and Zibibbo. International grape varieties are also planted here along with the indigenous varieties. Sparkling wines, rosé and dessert wines are also made in Sicily.
2022 Tenute Navarra Sofien Bianco, Terre Siciliane IGP — light yellow with aromas of oat hay, honeydew melon and dry grass. Flavors include citrus, dusty gravel and dusty earth that finish with juicy acidity. 12% ABV. SRP $22
Tenute Navarra is located in the rolling hills of Contrada San Giacomo near Butera in the southern part of Sicily east of Agrigento. The 432-acre estate is planted to Nero d’Avola, Frappato, Grillo and Chardonnay in along with several kinds of olive and almond trees. Sofien is a blend of Grillo and Chardonnay.
2022 Tenuta Ferrata Veni, Etna Bianco DOC — light golden with aromas of flowers, honeyed citrus and hints of cinnamon. Flavors include flowers and hints of dried marjoram and rosemary with a citrusy finish. 13% ABV. SRP $27
Tenuta Ferrata is located at the foot of Mount Etna and takes its name from the Circumetnea narrow-gauge railway that runs through the property. The estate, in Castiglione di Sicilia, totals 222 acres, 54 of which are cultivated. The vineyard, planted to the indigenous varieties of Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Carricante and Catarratto, sits at 2132 feet above sea level. Veni is 100% Carricante and offers concentrated and layered flavors with plenty of body. The wine aged for 10 months in French oak tonneaux and at least 8 to 10 months in bottle before release.
Both wines are lively and well balanced with flavor profiles that are a bit different from wines made using more familiar grape varieties. And both provide ample aromas and flavors even when well chilled — a plus is warm weather. If you want a taste of something different, reach for a Sicilian white wine. They will also pair beautifully with a meal.
Thanks to Colangelo & Partners for organizing our tasting.
Cheers!
