Last Week’s Tasting
Wines of Sicily

Peter writes:
Legend has it that Odysseus used good Sicilian wine to tempt and then overcome the Cyclops. Is it strange, then, that to most Americans Sicilian wine is a complete mystery?
Most Sicilian wine comes from native grape varieties only grown there like Nero d’Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Frappato for reds; Insolia, Grillo, Zibbibo and Catarrata for whites. So why should we care?
First these wines tend to be very, very good and also excellent values. Another part of the answer is that we can expand our horizons. Most importantly, these wines have aromas and tastes that evoke Sicily, one of the most beautiful places in the world.
So this is why we do tastings like we did last week. When I hear repeatedly “I like all of these wines” or “All of these wines are really good,” I know that the tasting wines are worthwhile.
The 2007 Corvo Terre Dei Grillo was an immediate favorite with the word “delicious” being thrown around. Full bodied and complex flavors showed through under a bright citric note. People found it both friendly and versatile. The 2008 Il Rose di Regaleali, a dry, peppery rose perfectly suited for warmer weather. It showed very attractive flavors and some underlying complexity from its Nerello Mascalese grapes.
The reds expressed the Nero d’Avola grape three ways. The first was the lightest, described by one taster as “the most Sicilian”. Even though I am not sure what he meant, I do not disagree. The 2006 Valle dell Acate Cerasuolo di Vittoria is a very pure expression of Nero d’Avola lightened and made prettier by the addition of Frappato. This is a very versatile, medium bodied red that would go well with everything from a good roast beef to a seafood dish with tomato.
The 2007 Cusumano Benuara showed more richness and power, its Nero d’Avola perhaps a little overshadowed by a very peppery Syrah component. The wine was still very well liked.
Next we had the perfectly mature 2005 Tasca d’Almerita Lamuri. This 100% Nero d’Avola is a very well balanced expression of both red and black fruit and just the right amount of spice. We would have to call this one a favorite of the tasting by a nose.
We finished the tasting with the 2007 Pellegrino Passito di Pantellaria, a rich but not over the top dessert wine made with 100% Zibbibo grapes. The apricot showed through, as did the tangerine, the spice, and the elegance. All tasters commented on the amazing value here. Once again, “All of these wines are really good”.

White

2007 Corvo Terre Dei Grillo: Bright gold yellow. Citric lemon-lime with a note of wildflowers, accented with honey and almond. Full-bodied and ripe, flavors are consistent with the nose, crisp and pleasantly acidic. A touch of subtle minerality with citrus and delicate almond in a long finish. Very Good Plus 12.99/bottle 11.69/mixed case 11.04/case

Rose

2008 Regaleali Rosato: Bright, deep, intense pink. Bold fruit aromas of cherry, raspberry and other wild berries. Rich, persistent flavors and clean finish. Very Good Plus 12.99/bottle 11.69/mixed case 11.04/case

Red

2006 Valle dell Acate Cerasuolo di Vittoria: Deep ruby. Red and black fruit aromas with a whiff of roses. Rich, complex flavors with velvet tannins and a spice note. Long, balanced finish. Very Good Plus 21.99/bottle 19.70/mixed case 18.69/case

2007 Cusumano Benuara: Rich ruby red. Red and black fruit aromas, touch of black pepper. Full bodied and complex fruit and spice flavors. Long finish. Very Good Plus 19.99/bottle 17.99/mixed case 16.99/case

2005 Tasca d’Almerita Lamuri: Deep ruby red. Intense fruit, floral and spice aromas. Very rich and forward flavors with good balancing soft tannin and acidity. Rich, long textured finish. Very Good Plus 24.99/bottle 22.49/mixed case 21.24/case

Sweet

2007 Pellegrini Passito di Pantellaria: Deep yellow gold. Rich aromas of orange blossom and raisin. Rich apricot, tangerine flavors with notes of cardamom. Sweet and mouth coating finish with refreshing acidity. Very Good Plus 16.99/bottle 15.29/mixed case 14.44/case

8/5 Sicilian Mixed Case: Two bottles of each of the above for a special price of $187