Egesta is one of the most original and best white wines in Sicily. It is made from 100% white Grillo, a variety that is associated with Sicily more than almost any other, but which apparently does not originate from the island. It was probably first planted in Sicily after the phylloxera campaign, but then took command of the region's grape varieties, especially in the west. It has been a fundamental component of Marsala for over a century and is also responsible for a large proportion of the dry white wines around Trapani and Alcamo.
Aldo uses it to press a version that is unrivalled on the island and has nothing to do with the usual, often banal wines that are usually dominated by citrus and passion fruit notes. Harvested at the end of August from young vines in the Pietrarinosa vineyard near the sea, he selects the best grapes and ferments them spontaneously in a stainless steel tank without pressing them first. The wine remains there for the next six months together with the skins and seeds and, after all the flavours, tannins and acids have been naturally extracted, it is gently pressed and bottled immediately.
The colour of the wine suggests autumnal, yellow-brown fields faded by the sun - Sicily in late summer, if you like. You can also taste the sun in the wine and - since we are talking in images and comparisons here - the sea too. In short, the Egesta offers warmth and suggests salt, but there are also aromas of maquis and dried fruit. The body has substance, but is never expansive or even fat. Despite the long maceration time, the tannins are restrained and offer a perfect balance with the astonishingly lively acidity.
Data sheet
- Grape varieties: Grillo
- Vineyards: Pietrarinosa, limestone & clay soils
- Harvest: By hand
- Fermentation: spontaneous | wild yeasts, 6 months skin contact
- Ageing: 6 months in stainless steel tanks, 3 months in the bottle
- Filtration: no
- SO₂: <20mg/l
- Alcohol: 13,5 % vol.
- Closure: natural cork
- Drinking temperature: 10-12°C
- Perfect time of consumption: from now – 2030
- Content and price per liter: 0,75 l/(€37,25/l)
- All winegrowers listed by vinonudo work in their vineyards with compost, organic fertilizers and natural preparations and do not use herbicides, pesticides or artificial fertilizers.
