Flying Free

Fabrizio Vella
(Cantine Rallo)
Catarratto 2021
Non Filtrato
Terre Siciliane IGP
Organic grapes grown in Marsala, no additives, indigenous yeasts, unfiltered
Sicily, Italy
Winemaker: Fabrizio Vella

Warm golden happiness in a glass. Breathing in golden delicious apple, hyacinth, orange squish and zest, a pinch of an herby blend (thyme, basil & more), lemons, and as it opens a smidge of warm spice. Ooh this tastes really good…there’s a crunch of green apple, lemon/lime twang, a sliver of honey dew, and hmmm…wait…it’s mango (but just a little), then Valencia orange & tangerine mix, and a mix of those herbs again, and a mineral shake of salt.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Just lovely

Oh what is it about Catarratto or this wine in particular? It’s enchanting and alive. How shall I put this so I don’t sound like a nut..when I continue to taste this bottle it’s like a vibrant burst of butterflies flying free to realms unknown. I hope that makes sense. There’s some sort of natural magic in Fabrizio Vella’s wine that probably has a lot to do about his dedication to working with indigenous grapes and the fact that they’re brought up the right way: organic, biodynamic farming & NO ADDITIVES. 🦋

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #winemaking #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Catarratto #butterfly #Sicily #Italy #organic  #fabriziovella @omniwines @ralloaziendaagricola @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

Now Where Did That Slipper Go?

Cantine Madaudo
Sicilia Illustrata series
Ardore di Sicilia 2020
Etna Bianco DOC
Carricante 70%, Catarratto 30%
Randazzo (CT), Sicily, Italy
Madaudo family winery (4 generations strong)

Warm golden hay. Sniffing aromatic waves of lemon, pear, kumquot zest, valencia orange, and a bit of green sprouty spring flowers. Tasting delicious crisp apples & pears, yellow plums, and a tart citrus cocktail with just the right amount of salt.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: NOOOOO

This is my 2nd in the Sicilia Illustrata series and another piece of art to add to my collection. This time it’s a glimpse of Mt. Etna its native grapes, continued activity, and terroir which then led me to the folklore. Hephaestus/Vulcan has his forge there, when Typhoeus/Typhon gets cranky you’ll hear him grouching and throwing fire, there’s also the Cyclops & more; but the tale that I stumbled upon and made me greatly raise my eyebrows is about England’s Queen Elizabeth I. Rumor has it that while the Devil was pulling her to the depths of hell through Etna, she lost a slipper. This is no Cinderella tale though…well…except for the cinders. I don’t think any of the “Virgin Queen’s” suitors are going to be her volcanic Prince Charming. 🌋🥂

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #italy #sicily #sicilia #Mountetna #Etna #folklore #Carricante #Catarratto  #verdeimports #Sambucese @cantinemadaudo1945 @docwineshop @docwinebarny @claudio @cheezit

When You Can’t Stay Away From Your Roots

Sambucese (The Heart of a Native Sicilian) 2020
Catarratto 70% Chardonnay 20%
Terre Siciliane IGT
Sicily, Italy
Made by native Sicilians and the man that brings them together, Charlie Verde

Pale straw and the slightest twinge of green. Drifting in are scents of honeysuckle, fresh rained on slate, and then shortly light lilacs pop up along with a blend of pears, peaches and nectarines. First sip and there’s honeysuckle, pears, peaches and nectarines again and this time very crisp with a spark of grass. Oh, this is a little fun surprise, there’s a tiny pop of Lemonhead candy (but not the sweet part) and some lime zest which is a delicious combination. You’ll be charmed by this youngster by first glass!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: just smooth drinking

From what I’m finding, Charlie Verde couldn’t stay away from his Sicilian roots. Born in Sambuca di Sicilia, he did venture to the U.S. to seek his fortune & future. Time passed, a wife and family were included and it was time to revisit his homeland. Needless to say he felt that spark, the beauty of Sicily and it’s inhabitants and of course the wine. Now, he’s bringing the best of his Sicily to you (more than just wine too!), through Verde Imports, and as they say, “we understand that not only is quality of our products important, but quality of the people we work with, as well”. The honest, hardworking and passionate people that Mr. Verde has chosen are a recipe for delicious success.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Sambucese #Catarratto #Chardonnay #Sicily #Italy #sicilia  #verdeimports @sambucese @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

A Creative Solution

Tenuta delle Terre Nere
Etna Bianco DOC
2020
60% Carricante, 25% Catarratto, 10% Grecanico, 5% Minnella
Organic, sustainable, and vineyards are located on the northern slopes of the Etna volcano, 600-900 meters a.s.l.
Randazzo (CT), Sicily, Italy
Owner: Marc de Grazia

Light gold starlight. Scents grow while sitting for a little of peaches, pears, winesap apples, blossoms/lilac, and a fresh salty seaside bit. Beautiful! Now sipping yellow plums, apricots, ripe soft pears, oddly a little oregano on the edges (it’s good trust me), granite-volcanic fed/mineral, and salt. Now I’m craving unagi and west coast oysters and a mortadella (or if you can’t find it substitute bologna & salami) grilled cheese. Yeah, there’s nothing like a good grilled cheese.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: absolutely delicious

Marc de Grazia is a man with his hands on two sides of the wine industry. He started out as a wine importer and from what I’m reading it was spurred from not being able to find the wines he loved while studying in the US. Now that’s a creative solution! After working with all of these wonderful winemakers, he then became one of the early “pioneers” revitalizing winemaking in Etna with buying the land and creating “Tenuta delle Terre Nere” aka “Estate of the Black Earth”. From eruptions and destruction came this beautiful opportunity to work with unique soils which they continue to research. They’re thinking about what is coming next, and how to adapt since climate change is very real.

#wine #winelover #whitewine #vino #vin #葡萄酒 #ワイン #cheezit #organic @worldbyglass #Sicily #Italy #etna #mtetna #mountetna #naturalwine #pairswithcheezits #winetasting #winestagram @tenutaterrenere @skurnikwines @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

Well Designed Enchantment

Il Censo
Praruar 2017
IGT Terre Siciliane Bianca
100% Catarratto
Organic, hand harvested, indigenous yeasts, unfined & unfiltered
Bivona (near Palazzo Adriano [where Cinema Paradiso was filmed]), Sicily, Italy
Owners: Gaetano & Nicoletta Gargano
Winemaker, architect, & artistic creative behind the label: Giampiero Bea

Deep skin contact orange copper. There’s scents of a warm baking spice, oranges and peel, apples, apricots and a nutty almondness. Tasting orange peel and  blossoms, honey, puff of smoke, apricots fresh and dried, lemon, nectarines, Mom’s baked apples, ginger sprinkle, Marcona almonds, a smidge of dried sage and this glass has a smooth depth that I’m going to slow down, linger and let the flavors build.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: nice and smooth

I stared at this beautifully designed label for some time, not knowing what to truly expect, since I’ve had a few Catarratto wines this summer and each is so unique. Some flirt, others leave me wondering and this one leaves me enchanted. Il Censo is one of those stories that an old (some would say ancient) family property was rejuvenated, there’s some replanting, and loving it back to organic life. All it makes me want to do is listen to the stories from this historic estate. What were the tenants of old like? What historic architecture still stands? What was the one moment when Gaetano and Nicoletta knew this is it…it’s time to leave banking and return to the vines? I could go on all night, but I’ll stop. If I’m lucky, maybe one day someone will join me at the table, share a bottle and reveal the tales of long ago.

#wine #winelover #orangewine #vino #vin #winelife #葡萄酒 #ワイン #cheezit #organic @worldbyglass #cataratto #pairswithcheezits #winetasting #winestagram #Bivona #Sicily #Italy #igt #GiampieroBea #gaetanogargano #ilcenso #madrosewine  @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit