Sicilian Wines for Spring
Sicily’s hot climate and mountainous terrain make for dynamic wines that pair fabulously with spring temperatures. Try these six staff picks this season.
Brutto Catarratto Frizzante Ancestrale, Aldo Viola – 2021 $25.96
Aldo Viola’s Catarratto Brutto is a pét-nat whose juice has undergone a bit of skin contact for texture. The aromas are lush and tantalizing, hinting at yeast and minerals. Its bubbles are silky, the alcohol is 11%, which makes this wine easily crushable. A great aperitif or a pair for pasta and seafood. – Chung Park, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Nero Sichilli Savino, Az. Agr. I Fenicotteri – 2016 $28.96
A delicious red wine from the Mount Etna region with flavors of red fruit, licorice, and citrus. A delicate leathery finish is also noticeable…The location of the vineyard is an important factor for the production of this wine: the minerality comes from the rich volcanic soil and an interesting salinity is created by the vicinity to the sea. A complex wine that’s fresh, fruity, and earthy at the same time! – Andrea Fraccari, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Bianco Carricante “Aurora”, I Vigneri di Salvo Foti – 2021 $31.96
Aurora means ‘dawn’ in Latin. This wine awakens the senses much like dawn signals the waking of diurnal creatures on our planet. Salvo Foti’s wines are recognized as some of the best in Sicily, and this will certainly heighten your appreciation for Sicilian Carricante. – Bambi Ray, Sales Manager
Nerello Mascalese Vigne Vecchie, Calabretta – 2014 $33.99
Very few of us have the storage space or the time and energy to be cellaring wine. You have to love producers like Calabretta that understand this and age their wines for us. Here you have a declassified Etna Rosso made from organically grown Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio whose vines average 80 years. It’s spent over three years in cask and seven in bottle. It’s a beautiful example of the positive effects of aging. Tannins are still there, but they’ve become dusty and soft. The wine shows a complex melange of flavors as black tea, cinnamon, and dried herb. You can also sense the flavors of balsamic, and earthy mushrooms that have developed over the years. Just loved this with my Korean short ribs the other day. – Chung Park, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
De Bartoli, Oro Vigna La Miccia Marsala – 2017 $46.99
De Bartoli’s Oro Vigna La Miccia Marsala is a prime example of how delicious and food friendly these wines can be. Made from Grillo, this bottling is a younger, fresher, less sweet, and more fruit-forward iteration of the Sicilian classic. – Vince Grace, Assistant Buyer
Nero d’Avola “Vrucara”, Feudo Montoni – 2017 $58.99
Don’t let this unassuming label fool you, this is a wine that has it all: ancient history, ungrafted vines, terroir in spades, and old-school winemaking. Not to mention that after 10 years it’s drinking beautifully…You’ll find an endless parade of aromas: cherry, blackberry, black licorice, and hints of menthol (from the local vruca bush that gives the wine its name). It’s silky smooth on the palate with a rich yet lively concentration of cherry, balsamic, tobacco, and chocolate. A great pair with hearty pasta dishes or sausage. – Amy Miller, Sales Manager