2/17/17 Sicily Friday Sips
FRIDAY SIPS
Sicily
Today February 17 from 1:30 - 6:30
Sicily
Today February 17 from 1:30 - 6:30
Meander through Sicily with us in a stolen Fiat today as we feature four wines from across the island that are not only about pleasure but also prove why this is one of Italy’s trendiest of regions.
2014 TERRE NERE ETNA ROSSO
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
One of Italy’s most fashionable wine regions is Etna, which runs through the valleys and hills from the sea to Mt. Etna and is often referred to as a Mediterranean Burgundy. Many outsiders from Tuscany and other regions of Italy are buying land here due to the burgeoning reputation and early signs of impeccable quality. One such outsider is famed Italian Wine Broker Marco de Grazia and almost instantly, recognition came due to the estate's impeccable quality.
95% Nerello Mascalese and 5% Nerello Cappuccio this outstanding wine adventure is ruby red in color with a persistent bouquet of mulberries, black cherries, mint and sage. Flavorfully textured, dry with plenty of generous, ripe fruit that carries into a lingering and balanced finish that possesses a touch of well-integrated tannin. We highly recommend this hearty red with grilled and roasted red meats or hard sheep's milk cheeses.
95% Nerello Mascalese and 5% Nerello Cappuccio this outstanding wine adventure is ruby red in color with a persistent bouquet of mulberries, black cherries, mint and sage. Flavorfully textured, dry with plenty of generous, ripe fruit that carries into a lingering and balanced finish that possesses a touch of well-integrated tannin. We highly recommend this hearty red with grilled and roasted red meats or hard sheep's milk cheeses.
2015 TERRE NERE ETNA ROSE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
The most amazing thing about this Rose, made since 2007, is that the grapes for this wine are specified to be Rose and are from 55-year-old vines. 100% Nerello Mascalese and 100% delicious, this wine from volcanic soils succeeds where so many non-traditional Italian pink wines fail to do, which is to provide pleasure yet provide ample detail with varietal presence. This rose absolutely builds as it unfolds in the glass.
Pliant, bright and teeming with cherry pit, blueberries and plenty of smoky and savory aspects from Etna’s volcanic soils. Lovely presence on the palate, this wine stretches out nicely on the palate and bursts into being vivacious and mouthwatering on the home stretch. Flavorful and fun yet with no shortage of sophistication this Rose will pair well with mussels, grilled shrimp, roasted or grilled chicken with Italian herb. Even though this is a way more than a summer slammer and pairs beautifully with food, it is quite an enchanting drink on its own.
Pliant, bright and teeming with cherry pit, blueberries and plenty of smoky and savory aspects from Etna’s volcanic soils. Lovely presence on the palate, this wine stretches out nicely on the palate and bursts into being vivacious and mouthwatering on the home stretch. Flavorful and fun yet with no shortage of sophistication this Rose will pair well with mussels, grilled shrimp, roasted or grilled chicken with Italian herb. Even though this is a way more than a summer slammer and pairs beautifully with food, it is quite an enchanting drink on its own.
2012 PLANETA NOTO NERO D'AVOLA
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK
$19.99 BTL./$119.94 - SIX PACK
Planeta is one of the most important and influential estate in Sicily. Initially gaining notoriety using French varietals, this estate literally was the one that woke up the island into making top noth wines as others followed suit. Alas, along the way, their ideals of uber modern and utilizing grapes like Chardonnay and Syrah became out of fashion as a movement towards native varietals took hold. Therefore, what does Planeta do, they turn around and utilize Sicily’s indigenous grapes while continuing to do what made them so prominent.
The grape varietal Nero d'Avola is sometimes incorrectly referred to as Calabriana (i.e. hailing from Calabria) is considered the most typical and representative red grape of Sicily (excluding the territory of Etna). The incorrect name Calabrian is an "Italianization" of the word in old Sicilian dialect, "Calaurisi" which actually means, 'grape of Avola.' The Nero d'Avola was selected for cultivation by grape-growers of Avola (Siracusa) several hundred years ago and spread to the commune of Noto (which received its DOC status as Noto Nero D’Avola in 1974), the provinces of Ragusa and Caltagirone, and recently, throughout the rest of the island.
Very SE Sicilian with its generosity, full, tangy aromas of wild plum, cracked pepper, cherry pit, tealeaf and pepper follow into a texture that is sultry, ripe and mouthfilling. The finish is vibrant, complete and very indicative of what fantastic Noto Nero D'Avola is all about. Drink this offering over the next 5-7 years.
The grape varietal Nero d'Avola is sometimes incorrectly referred to as Calabriana (i.e. hailing from Calabria) is considered the most typical and representative red grape of Sicily (excluding the territory of Etna). The incorrect name Calabrian is an "Italianization" of the word in old Sicilian dialect, "Calaurisi" which actually means, 'grape of Avola.' The Nero d'Avola was selected for cultivation by grape-growers of Avola (Siracusa) several hundred years ago and spread to the commune of Noto (which received its DOC status as Noto Nero D’Avola in 1974), the provinces of Ragusa and Caltagirone, and recently, throughout the rest of the island.
Very SE Sicilian with its generosity, full, tangy aromas of wild plum, cracked pepper, cherry pit, tealeaf and pepper follow into a texture that is sultry, ripe and mouthfilling. The finish is vibrant, complete and very indicative of what fantastic Noto Nero D'Avola is all about. Drink this offering over the next 5-7 years.
2011 DONNAFUGATA 'TANCREDI'
TERRE SICILIANE ROSSO
$36.99 BTL./$221.94 - SIX PACK
TERRE SICILIANE ROSSO
$36.99 BTL./$221.94 - SIX PACK
Etna and the southeast aren't the only area of Sicily that are getting all kinds of love, other areas are joining in on the fun as well. The Donnafugata estate has over 100 years of wine and other production under its belt but it wasn’t until the 80s when Giacomo Rolla came in and launched this estate into one of the island’s most iconic.
There are many wines made here and vineyards are in various places in Sicily, the renowned Tancredi Rosso comes from their Contessa Entellina site in SW Sicily about 70 km south of Palermo. Made with Nero D’Avola, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat and other varietals, this blend is always formidable and large scaled.
Stirring aromas of bold, dark plum-pepper, tobacco, cinnamon, violet and hot rock, one smell reveals that it is the best of modern Sicily. Sexy, saturated, chewy, polished, dense, and a real mouthful of red wine, especially with all of its varietals doing their stuff as it moves throughout the palate. Through all of this, it maintains freshness which calls you back for another glass and another and another, etc., etc. The finish is penetrating and dense, reveals chocolate-covered raspberry red tones and sticks around for a long time. Wow! Drink through 2024+.
There are many wines made here and vineyards are in various places in Sicily, the renowned Tancredi Rosso comes from their Contessa Entellina site in SW Sicily about 70 km south of Palermo. Made with Nero D’Avola, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat and other varietals, this blend is always formidable and large scaled.
Stirring aromas of bold, dark plum-pepper, tobacco, cinnamon, violet and hot rock, one smell reveals that it is the best of modern Sicily. Sexy, saturated, chewy, polished, dense, and a real mouthful of red wine, especially with all of its varietals doing their stuff as it moves throughout the palate. Through all of this, it maintains freshness which calls you back for another glass and another and another, etc., etc. The finish is penetrating and dense, reveals chocolate-covered raspberry red tones and sticks around for a long time. Wow! Drink through 2024+.
