Friday Sips
SICILY FRIDAY SIPS - Sicilian Wines from Gulfi
Today October 23 from 1:00 - 6:30
Today October 23 from 1:00 - 6:30
With a name like Vito Catania and hailing from Sicily, one would expect this cat to be a character in a mob movie rather than a sustainable, organic farmer. Vito Catania came to the area with a vision of making old-style wines using modern technology. Earlier this month I tasted through the latest range of wines with Vito’s son Matteo and once again not only proved that this is one of Sicily’s finest, but are some of Italy’s most compelling. Since he purchased his 100 acres in 1996, he has certainly succeeded in becoming one of Sicily's most charmed producers. Drop by today (10-23) to taste through the range listed below.
2013 GULFI CERASUOLO DI VITTORIA
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK
If you were ever in the mob and ratted on your friends, you might find yourself in the Witness Protection program working as a carnie operating a Ferris wheel. Not all is lost, though. Since your pasta dish would essentially be egg noodles and ketchup, you're gonna have to make an upgrade on the red wine. Drinking Gulfi's Cerasuolo di Vittoria would make you reminisce about loan-sharking or whacking someone.
Only in Italy could it ever get this confusing. Two of Italy’s provinces ujse the name Cerasuolo. In Abruzzo, Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo is a full-flavored, Rose-like wine made from the Montepulciano grape. This wine is from the Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOC region in SE Sicily and must include a blend of Nero D'Avola and Frappatto grapes. 50% of each, this fragrant, detonatining in the mouth red is full of vibrant, crunchy cherry fruit, smoke, pepper and underlying plum tones that follow through to a texture that tingles and fills the mouth without being tannic or heavy. Perfect for drinking over the next two or three years with fish and tomato dishes.
Only in Italy could it ever get this confusing. Two of Italy’s provinces ujse the name Cerasuolo. In Abruzzo, Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo is a full-flavored, Rose-like wine made from the Montepulciano grape. This wine is from the Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOC region in SE Sicily and must include a blend of Nero D'Avola and Frappatto grapes. 50% of each, this fragrant, detonatining in the mouth red is full of vibrant, crunchy cherry fruit, smoke, pepper and underlying plum tones that follow through to a texture that tingles and fills the mouth without being tannic or heavy. Perfect for drinking over the next two or three years with fish and tomato dishes.
2010 GULFI NERO D'AVOLA
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK
The 2010 Nero D'Avola ‘Nerojjbleo’ (pronounced nero-E-blay-O…j's are e's in Sicilian dialect) is made from vineyards in south-central Sicily near the town of Ragusa.
Here is why Sicily is on my vacation destination wish list. One reason is the sublime food and wine pairings that include this chewy, well-defined red that goes confidently with many Italian dishes. The grapes for this terrific 20 buck value are grown on an island paradise, made from 100% Nero D'Avola and could best be described as the hotshot rhythm guitar-player (think Stone Gossard) who shines on ear-bending riffs. Very generous, this is Sicily in a bottle. Savory and feral aromas gently give way to pronounced plum, wild flower and warm earth tones. Texturally, it is generous, detailed and dry with excellent firmness, structure and length. Combine this red with a hearty winter vegetable soup or the classic eggplant parmesan. Drink over the next 4-6 years.
Here is why Sicily is on my vacation destination wish list. One reason is the sublime food and wine pairings that include this chewy, well-defined red that goes confidently with many Italian dishes. The grapes for this terrific 20 buck value are grown on an island paradise, made from 100% Nero D'Avola and could best be described as the hotshot rhythm guitar-player (think Stone Gossard) who shines on ear-bending riffs. Very generous, this is Sicily in a bottle. Savory and feral aromas gently give way to pronounced plum, wild flower and warm earth tones. Texturally, it is generous, detailed and dry with excellent firmness, structure and length. Combine this red with a hearty winter vegetable soup or the classic eggplant parmesan. Drink over the next 4-6 years.
2009 GULFI NERO D'AVOLA
'NEROSANLORE'
$44.99 BTL./$269.94 - SIX PACK
'NEROSANLORE'
$44.99 BTL./$269.94 - SIX PACK
Many Italian wines take on many personalities. The full-on Sicilian wines from Vito Catania are a bit like the very large, muscular guy who you have a meeting with when you don't pay your bookie! In all seriousness, Nerosanlore is one of Gulfi’s four single vineyard, Nero D’Avola Cru wines. The 6-acre vineyard is located mere 700 meters away from the sea in Siracusa’s Val do Noto and actually located further south than Tunisia’s capital city of Tunis on the lines of latitude. The sandy/brown clay soils coupled with the sea influence always allow it to be the most extravagant of the Gulfi Cru wines.
Think of a hypothetical version of a Sicilian Amarone with this big, rich, powerhouse red. Polish and energy abound with strawberry/balsamic aspects, licorice, sage and underlying floral characteristics with smoothness and sensuality in the mouth. Layers of fruit, mineral, hints of spicy oak dominate the streamlined and structured palate. Long and very packed with impressive character and potential; drink this profound Sicilian red through – 2028.
Think of a hypothetical version of a Sicilian Amarone with this big, rich, powerhouse red. Polish and energy abound with strawberry/balsamic aspects, licorice, sage and underlying floral characteristics with smoothness and sensuality in the mouth. Layers of fruit, mineral, hints of spicy oak dominate the streamlined and structured palate. Long and very packed with impressive character and potential; drink this profound Sicilian red through – 2028.
2006 GULFI SICILIA ROSSO (ETNA)
'RESECA'
$37.99 BTL./$227.94 - SIX PACK
'RESECA'
$37.99 BTL./$227.94 - SIX PACK
About as big a diversion and difference from Gulfi’s SE Sicily Nero D’Avola wines are the wines from Mt. Etna made from the Nerello Mascalese grape. Gulfi happens to own property on this active volcano and the vines are pre-phyloxerra and over 100 years old. Located on the north side, this cool site lends itself to making fragrant, very lacy-smooth wines. It’s human nature to want to make comparisons and perhaps the best one would be Sicilian Pinot Noir/Nebbiolo, but it’s still a reach given the individual nature of these velvety beasts.
Usually entry-level Etna wines are featured on Friday Sips Tastings. We never open Etna wines of this stature, so this is an undeniable treat. Now 9 years old, this wine runs the gamut of complex aromas that change like an obstacle course as it sits in the glass. Transparent and very focused with prominent red fruits, savory herbs like rosemary, laurel and anise. Some secondary balsamic and turned earth aspects arrive as it unfolds in the glass. Expansive and ethereal on in the mouth, plenty of depth from these ancient vines comes through immediately. Lots of palate coverage and almost velour-like qualities, especially on the very refined finish that shows rocky energy along with intermittent kisses of vanilla. Very wonderful to drink now and over the next decade. Pair this with mushroom dishes, game or little birds.
Usually entry-level Etna wines are featured on Friday Sips Tastings. We never open Etna wines of this stature, so this is an undeniable treat. Now 9 years old, this wine runs the gamut of complex aromas that change like an obstacle course as it sits in the glass. Transparent and very focused with prominent red fruits, savory herbs like rosemary, laurel and anise. Some secondary balsamic and turned earth aspects arrive as it unfolds in the glass. Expansive and ethereal on in the mouth, plenty of depth from these ancient vines comes through immediately. Lots of palate coverage and almost velour-like qualities, especially on the very refined finish that shows rocky energy along with intermittent kisses of vanilla. Very wonderful to drink now and over the next decade. Pair this with mushroom dishes, game or little birds.
