Sicily
Sicily is a slowly awakening universe of different terroirs in which an ever-increasing number of excellent natural wines are being produced.
The island is so diverse that it makes little sense to lump it all together. 1 DOCG, 23 DOC and 8 IGT speak a clear language in this respect - although, as is so often the case when assessing Italian regions of origin, one wonders why Cerasuolo di Vittoria is the only wine style to enjoy DOCG status. Be that as it may, good winegrowers and spectacular wines can be found everywhere. At the moment, they are probably most often found around Marsala and Mount Etna, although the hype surrounding the volcano seems a little exaggerated to us and the focus on its red wines obscures the fact that the white wines made from Carricante are also often truly outstanding.
Speaking of grape varieties: their often astonishing qualitative potential is being explored down to the last detail. Often with surprising and extremely pleasing results: some artisan winegrowers, for example, have exorcised Nero d'Avola of its clumsiness and replaced it with elegance and clear aromas, while others have begun to successfully elicit multi-layered and complex aromas from Catarratto and Grillo, which have been labelled as insignificant.
Aldo Viola, Moretto 2019
Wein
- €21,80
While Syrah plays a significant role also in the Moretto, it shares this status equally with Perricone and Nerello Mascalese. The latter has gained recognition beyond Sicily, thanks to the success stories of Etna wines. Perricone, however, remains relatively unknown, though that will soon change....
Aldo Viola, Biancoviola 2022
Wein
- €20,90
The Biancoviola is the white counterpart to the red Moretto. It is made from three grape varieties grown in three vastly different vineyards, far from each other. The grapes for the Grillo ripen in the inland hills around Segesta, the Grecanico vines take root in Sicily's wild west, while the Cat...
SRC Etna Rosso 2021
Wein
- €27,90
Rori Parasilitis Etna Rosso is much more than an ordinary entry-level wine and yet it provides a perfect introduction to the world of Etna wines. As befits a wine from the slopes of the iconic Sicilian volcano, it is largely made from Nerello Mascalese, which is complemented by a few little-kno...
Aldo Viola, Saignée 2020
Wein
- €21,80
Although Aldo Viola's home is in Sicily, he frequently looks beyond the island, especially towards France. This is made easier by his personal connection, as he has lived there several times and practically absorbed the language with his mother's milk (his mother is from France). The Saignée is a...
Aldo Viola, Egesta 2019
Wein
- €31,90
Egesta is one of the most outstanding white wines of Sicily. It is made from 100% Grillo, a variety that is closely associated with Sicily, yet it seems it didn’t originally come from the island. It was probably only planted after the phylloxera devastation in Sicily, but since then, it has taken...
Aldo Viola, Plus 2019
Wein
- €27,40
The Guarini Plus is a result of Aldo Viola's passion for Syrah. He was convinced that the variety could produce excellent results in Sicily when grown in well-ventilated, north-facing vineyards. So, over two decades ago, he set out in search of the perfect site and found it in Feudo Guarini, a ti...
Aldo Viola, Brutto 2022
Wein
- €17,90
A frizzante from Catarratto by Aldo Viola. Produced according to the metodo ancestrale, i.e. by secondary fermentation in the bottle without subsequent disgorging and dosing. There are several possible explanations for the BRUTTO (Italian for ugly) in the name and the duck on the label. Firstly...
Aldo Viola, Guarini Coccinella 2021
Rotwein
- €19,90
The Guarini Coccinella is the result of Aldo Viola's passion for Syrah. Convinced that the variety could deliver excellent results even in Sicily, if grown in well-ventilated, north-facing locations, he embarked on a search over two decades ago and found the perfect spot in Feudo Guarini, a tiny ...
Fabio Ferracane, Guanciabianca 2022
Wein
- €16,90
Guanciabianca: A Brilliant Expression of Catarratto OverviewCatarratto is Fabio Ferracane's flagship grape, and Guanciabianca offers an excellent introduction to his craft. The vines are rooted in a plateau at 160 meters above sea level, thriving in limestone-rich soils. In the hot summers of Ma...
SRC Etna Bianco Pirao 2022
Wein
- €62,80
Carricante: A Star Among Italy’s White Varieties Carricante is one of Italy’s great white grape varieties—provided it is planted in the right place and cared for by the right hands. In this case, the hands belong to Rori Parasiliti, who knows exactly what he is doing; the right place is Mount Etn...
SRC Rosato 2020
Wein
- €21,80
Old Vines and Their Unique Character: Rori Parasiliti’s Rosé from Mount Etna Old vines draw their nutriens from deep within even the most barren soils. Although they typically produce fewer grapes, the berries are richly concentrated. Carefully nurtured, these vines often exhibit more character a...
Aldo Viola, Krimiso 2019
Wein
- €27,90
Cataratto has always been the workhorse among the island's white grape varieties. Only recently has there been a small number of winegrowers who have really got to the bottom of the character of Catarratto and are breaking new ground. Aldo Viola's Montelongo Catarratto vineyard is located in a no...
SRC Alberello 2018
Wein
- €44,80
Nerello Mascalese, so refined and delicate, yet profound and multi-layered, could easily be mistaken for the finest Burgundian Pinots or Piedmontese Nebbiolos (it even shares their slightly transparent garnet-red color). On a parcel of just over one hectare in the Contrada Crasà on the northern s...
Fabio Ferracane, Elisir 2020
Wein
- €33,80
Elisir: A Tribute to Marsala’s Historic Tradition OverviewBefore fortified Marsala wine became synonymous with the region in the 18th century, a similar style of wine was crafted there—naturally fermented, late-harvested, and without added alcohol. Fabio Ferracane’s Elisir, made exclusively from...
SRC, Bianco 2022
Wein
- €27,90
Before Etna became a hotspot for completely independent and globally sought-after red wines a good 10 years ago, the greater attention of traders and journalists - who were hardly interested in the region at the time - was primarily focussed on its white interpretations, which were almost without...