Wines from Sicily

Marsala dry – that still sounds like a surprise to many. Yet dryness was the norm for a long time: before sweetness and flavour additives degraded most Marsala to a kitchen commodity, it was a serious, dry liqueur wine. Pellegrino is a reminder of this. The "Old Marsala" in its new, dry interpretation is superlative quality: 24 months in wooden barrels, Grillo, Catarratto and Inzolia from western Sicily. No mosto cotto, no sweetening – the wine is left to its own devices, works oxidatively, develops depth.

A hint of morning freshness: Al Qasar ("The Castle") is the lighter side of Zibibbo, dry, elegant and designed for subtlety. Yellow in colour with a delicate golden shimmer in the glass. The nose opens with charming aromas of orange blossom, peach skin and a hint of elderflower. On the palate, it is clear and fragrant, with lively acidity, a creamy fruit centre and a floral finish that ends in svelteharmony. Al Qasar is an uncomplicated, yet characterful Zibibbo – ideal as an aperitif, with light antipasti or a fine fritto di mare. Elegant, dry and extremely charming. SUPERIORE.DE

Dry Moscato from the Noto coast – unusual, but all the stronger in character. Allemanda comes from the south of Sicily, where the calcareous, sandy soils of Tenuta Buonivini and the Mediterranean climate create a unique terroir for aromatic grape varieties. Maturation in stainless steel tanks emphasises the purity and finesse of this rarely dry Muscat variety. Pale straw yellow in the glass with silver reflections. The aroma is clear and animating: lychee, white peach, lemon balm, wild flowers and a hint of nutmeg. Lively and dry on the palate, with a lean structure, well-integrated acidity and a delicate, almost salty finish. No opulence, but precise flavours with a fine spiciness. Allemanda shows that Moscato in the right location can also be a fragrant, elegant white wine. Ideal with summer cuisine, ceviche or marinated fennel with citrus. An original wine for explorers. SUPERIORE.DE

A fragrant bloomer from the hot south: Alastro, named after the wild flower that grows around Cantina Ulmo, combines the Mediterranean clarity of Grecanico with the aromatic freshness of Sauvignon Blanc. Delicate straw yellow in the glass with silvery reflections. The nose opens with tangerine, white peach, lychee and a hint of yellow blossom. Elegant and silky on the palate, with a smooth texture, clear fruit structure and lively, balanced acidity. The ageing on the lees gives the wine additional depth and finesse without detracting from its freshness. Alastro is a charming white wine for modern connoisseurs – aromatic, precise and multi-faceted. Ideal with cold pasta with summer vegetables, courgette carpaccio or grilled fish. SUPERIORE.DE

The general is said to have been a teetotaller. Until he drank Marsala. The story may be legend – this wine has earned its name since 1862, when Giuseppe Garibaldi landed in Marsala with his troops and discovered the sweetness that won him over. Grillo, Catarratto and Inzolia, the classic triad of western Sicily. After the infusion and addition of mosto cotto, the Garibaldi Dolce matures for 24 months in large oak barrels – twice as long as the Fine, with correspondingly more depth and concentration.

A Nero d'Avola with soft tannins and ripe fruit, named after the pale purple plumbago that blooms in the vineyards around the Ulmo winery. Plumbago comes from loamy soils near Lago Arancio, characterised by the warm microclimate of western Sicily. The wine is matured for 10 months in large wood, which gives it a gentle structure and a finely interwoven flavour. Rich ruby red colour with a purple core in the glass. Black cherry, blackberry, dark plum and a hint of liquorice on the nose, underpinned by cedar and cocoa. Velvety and accessible on the palate, with ripe berry fruit, supple acidity and rounded tannins. An expressive, modern Nero d'Avola with a clear signature and Mediterranean soul – powerful, but not heavy. Versatile with game birds, aubergines alla parmigiana or spicy hard cheese. SUPERIORE.DE

Frappato and Nero d'Avola in organic quality, carefully vinified and matured in stainless steel: Planeta's Cerasuolo di Vittoria comes from the calcareous clay soils near Dorilli in the province of Ragusa – the historic heartland of Sicily's only DOCG. Medium ruby red in the glass with a transparent centre. The nose is open and charming, with juicy sour cherry, red plums, rosehip and a hint of pepper, underpinned by floral notes and fine Mediterranean spice. On the palate, the wine is elegant and supple, with ripe fruit, gentle tannins and a well-integrated freshness that gives the cuvée an almost dancing balance. Not a loud performance, but a stylish homage to the area of origin of Cerasuolo, vinified with sensitivity and respect for tradition. Ideal with braised vegetables, polpette or Sicilian caponata. SUPERIORE.DE

Rosé di Morgante is vinified from pure Nero d'Avola and comes from the higher vineyards around Grotte near Agrigento. The poor, chalky soils give it freshness and structure, while the sunny but well-ventilated microclimate ensures optimum flavour development. Ageing in stainless steel preserves the fruit and precision. Delicate salmon pink colour with a copper sheen in the glass. Redcurrant, rosehip, a hint of blood orange and delicate floral nuances on the nose. Animating on the palate, with lively acidity, elegant fruit and a salty, mineral undertone. Dry, clear and very balanced, with a fine finish. A serious yet very drinkable rosé with a Mediterranean soul – ideal as an aperitif or with grilled fish, antipasti and white meat dishes. SUPERIORE.DE

In the warm coastal air of the south-east Sicilian limestone soils near Noto, Grillo thrives with a Mediterranean self-image – sun-kissed, but not heavy. The name Azisa comes from the ancient Arabic "Aziz", which means "precious" – a reminiscence of Sicily's multi-layered history. Brilliant straw yellow in the glass with greenish reflections. On the nose, an open, finely drawn spectrum of aromas: white peach, yellow citrus fruit, a hint of sage and orange blossom, plus delicate hints of sea salt and wet stone. Fresh, lively and pointed on the palate – with a clear acid structure, light phenolic tension and a dry, salty-mineral final. Azisa is a serious Grillo with a Sicilian soul – elegant, accessible and full of character. Ideal with antipasti, mussels or summery Mediterranean cuisine. SUPERIORE.DE

An Etna Rosso full of temptation and polished elegance, Ulysse is a reference to Odysseus' legendary naval voyages and this vibrant tension between the Nerello grape and the unique Etna terroir reflects precisely this balance between adventure and the spirit of discovery. Intense ruby red in colour with garnet hues. The nose opens with an aroma of cherry, blackcurrant and raspberry, along with spicy, subliminal pepper, vanilla and a hint of tobacco – clear, precise and pleasantly inviting. On the palate, Ulysse has a moderate body, juicy fruit and fine but present acidity. The tannins are softly embedded, the finish is long, with a fine aftertaste and a lot of flavour that whets the appetite for the next sip. An accessible, cultivated Etna Rosso – ideal with dark poultry, grilled vegetables or mildly matured cheese. Have a good trip! SUPERIORE.DE

Guarnaccio is called Perricone in the old Regaleali dialects and stands for a long, almost forgotten tradition of indigenous red wines. The vines are rooted on 2.6 hectares in the historic Vigneto Ciminnita, newly planted in 2011, on brooding, fine clayey soil with a sparse limestone flow. Rich in polyphenols and with spicy flavours, Guarnaccio evokes memories of an ancient winemaking tradition. Ruby red in colour with a lively core. Spicy on the nose: ripe cherry, rosehip, blackberry, accompanied by balsamic laurel, delicate eucalyptus notes and warm tobacco. On the palate, Guarnaccio is full-bodied and powerful, but with beautiful finesse. Dense fruit is combined with earthy, spicy depth, the tannins are present and noble, the acidity is captivating and creates tension. The finish remains elegant, with peppery spice and fine mineral salinity, a Sicilian red wine with attitude. Ideal with grilled beef, braised lamb or strong cheese. SUPERIORE.DE

A Nero d'Avola with charm and esprit: Sherazade is a modern interpretation of Sicily's most famous red grape variety. The name is reminiscent of the storyteller from 1001 Nights – and indeed, this wine tells of the fertile warmth of the south with appealing lightness and seductiveness. The colour in the glass is a bright ruby red with a violet rim. The bouquet exudes juicy cherries, ripe wild berries and floral notes, accompanied by a hint of sweet spices. Soft, round and harmonious on the palate, with a moderate structure, fine fruit and an animating drinking flow. Uncomplicated, charming and full of Sicilian joie de vivre. SUPERIORE.DE

Sur Sur is a fresh Grillo, named after the little cricket whose gentle chirping symbolises lightness and new beginnings – a loving reminder of the playful, unforced life of the Sibyllines that blossoms on Sicilian soil. The vines grow in the west of Sicily around Contessa Entellina, on clayey-loamy soils with a chalky structure, which give the wine a lively freshness and aromatic purity. The colour in the glass is a brilliant straw yellow, clear and inviting. The nose reveals floral notes, white peach fruit, melon, grapefruit and a hint of herbs. On the palate, Sur Sur is soft, with juicy fruit, fine acidity and a seductive grip that makes you want to take another sip right away – an uncomplicated Grillo with a sunny disposition and fine origins, perfect as an aperitif or a light accompaniment to antipasti and summer delights. SUPERIORE.DE

A Catarratto that plays with lightness and clarity: Prio means "joy" in Sicilian – and that is exactly what this single-varietal Bianco conveys. The vines grow in Contessa Entellina on chalky soils, ventilated by warm winds and cool nights – ideal conditions for freshness and aromatic finesse. Straw yellow in colour with greenish reflections in the glass. The bouquet exudes aromas of white peach, citrus fruit, green apple and a hint of broom blossom. Dry, lively and pleasantly clear on the palate with a delicate melting finish. Maturation in stainless steel tanks preserves the freshness and fruitiness. An accessible, lively white wine with a regional profile – ideal for warm evenings, summer cuisine or simply: a moment full of joy! SUPERIORE.DE

The name says it all: Grillo means cricket – and in Sicilian folk tales, the cricket is the fairies' horse that carries them through the night on its back. "Cavallo delle Fate" therefore – the fairy horse. A wine that takes its name seriously: light at first glance, but with an energy that carries. Grillo is one of the oldest grape varieties in Sicily, a cross between Catarratto and Zibibbo, long known primarily for Marsala. In Regaleali, it grows on the hills of Sant'Anna and Piana Case Vecchie, 480 metres above sea level, facing south-east, in deep loamy, slightly calcareous soil. Tasca deliberately plays with two harvest times: Some of the grapes are harvested earlier – for freshness and minerality – the rest later, for body and structure. No wood, no malolactic fermentation, four months maturation on the lees in steel tanks. Cool, precise, with respect for a grape variety that needs no disguise.

The word Lamuri stands locally for "love" – and the vineyards of Tenuta Regaleali reflect this as well as the passion with which this Nero d'Avola was created. The vines thrive on barren limestone soil between gently rolling hills at an altitude of 450–750 metres above sea level. Bright ruby red in colour with a violet hue. The bouquet is charming and open: Ripe blackberry, white pepper and violet accents mingle with a delicate undertone of damp lava stones. The whole is fresh and earthy at the same time. On the palate, Lamuri dances between fullness and elegance: the fruit is juicy, not overloaded, underpinned by a crisp acidity that supports the body. The tannins are velvety soft, but present and carried by a mineral trace. The final is clean, unobtrusively spicy, with a hint of cassis and liquorice that lingers in the memory. SUPERIORE.DE

Buonsenso (common sense) is simply matured in steel tanks and left on the lees for four months. It is already visually impressive with its bright straw yellow colour. Attractive bouquet of wild flowers, mint, peach and green melon. The palate is refreshing with a great acid wire, rounded off by citrus and peach notes with a subtle hint of saltiness. SUPERIORE.DE

An exciting cuvée that looks like a postcard from Sicily – fresh, fragrant and with a great sense of mission. Leone Blend combines five Alpine and Mediterranean grape varieties from the high-altitude vineyards of Regaleali (between 500-900 metres), whose limestone-rich, structured soils lend the wine a fine tension. After gentle pressing, it is fermented spontaneously exclusively in stainless steel tanks – with around four months of ageing on fine lees, which gives it creaminess, depth and a certain ageing potential.

Nocera - this noble vine is only grown on a few hectares in the province of Messina, on a spectacular vineyard surrounded by the sea. Bright garnet red in colour, with an original aroma of white pepper, cherries, geranium and summer fruits. The typical fresh, fruity flavour of this old Sicilian grape is convincing. A fine salty vein in the spicy final. An unforgettable experience from Planeta's Capo Milazzo branch on the coast north of Mount Etna. SUPERIORE.DE

Dry Zibibbo (Muscat from Alexandria) from the island of Pantelleria, grown at an altitude of around 300 metres in ferrous soils of volcanic origin. Isesi is delicately floral and smells of honeysuckle and perfumed star jasmine, which is appropriately called Sicilian jasmine in Italy. The flavour is dry and balanced, with just the right softness, freshness and lightness to make this high-quality white wine so incredibly charming and delicate. SUPERIORE.DE