When it comes to wine, Sicily is where it's happening in Italy. Lots of great wines come from the island's innumerable grape varieties. Nearly 25% of Italy's 650 million cases come from Sicily. Most of these wines are superb because new wine technologies, backed by confident financial investors, have improved the island's vineyards and wineries. It's exciting to watch and wonder what great wines are now in the vineyard.
Our selection comes from the Azienda Agricola Vasari, one of the first producers in Sicily to adopt the demanding requirements of the European Community for Organic Farming. The vines are planted on the most fertile soils of the estate facing west at an altitude of 800 to 1000 feet above sea level. The planting density is 1700 vines per acre, more than twice the density of most California vineyards. The vines are heavily pruned so that each vine produces only a handful of very fine grapes. This low productivity per vine ensures wines of great quality. The wines are made exclusively from the finest indigenous Sicilian grapes, including Cataratto, Inzolia and Grillo.
The Cataratto grape is indigenous to western Sicily, and it's the second most-planted vine in the region. In blends it's often used to bring high notes to the wine. It's used primarily for making the famed Marsala wines of Sicily. Inzolia, also an indigenous grape of Sicily, is considered the finest white varietal of the region. Its blend with Cataratto gives freshness, nuttiness, and a finely scented character to the wine. Grillo is a unique grape that can stand the heat of Sicily. It's also used to make Marsala, adding floral flavors and citrus notes.
The beauty of this blend is that it was aged in stainless steel tanks or completely neutral oak barrels. No oak is imparted in the wine. This preserves the intricate flavors of these exotic grapes. The wine drinker can enjoy the wine, and reflect on the grapes and the vineyards, rather than the wine room and the barrels. This pleasantly soft white wine will take you to exotic places.
January 2010 Vintners Series Newsletter (.pdf)
