Wines from Sicily

This powerful blend of Nero d'Avola and Syrah comes from Tenuta Presti e Pegni in Monreale and impressively demonstrates the versatility of Sicilian winemaking. The vineyards thrive at an altitude of 250 metres in the hills behind Palermo, where loamy soils and the Mediterranean microclimate create ideal conditions for international grape varieties. Just ten kilometres from the coast, the vines benefit from the cooling sea breeze, which moderates the heat of the day and ensures balanced ripening. The name Benuara is derived from a small flower that grows near Syracuse – a poetic reference to the southernmost regions of Sicily.

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

Frappato is Sicily's best-kept secret. It is only grown on a few dozen hectares of the entire island – and hardly anywhere as convincingly as in the red sands of Vittoria. Light, well-aerated soils, with a layer of tufa underneath that regulates the water. Sea breeze, southern sun. Planeta cultivates it in the Mogli vineyard at 70 metres, organically, with 4,500 plants per hectare. Seven days of maceration, gentle pressing, ageing in steel.

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.

The great white heron spends the winter in the Riserva dello Stagnone near Marsala, the tranquil nature reserve of lagoon, salt pans and wide open skies where the vineyards of Cantine Rallo are rooted. The white colour of the bottle label is reminiscent of the Marsala salt pans, the yellow of the Sicilian sun. The bird gave the wine its name. 100% Grillo, the autochthonous grape variety of western Sicily, traditionally grown in the Alberello marsalese – the bushy training system that gives the vines shade and balance in the summer heat. South-facing, at an altitude of 50 metres, loamy-sandy soil near the coast. Hand-picked in September, gentle pressing, fermentation in steel at 15 to 16 °C, no malolactic fermentation, 6 months in steel, short bottle ageing.

Lumera is a woman from a Sicilian poem – written in a language that predates Italian, in the spirit of the Dolce Stil Novo: "How can a woman so tall enter through my eyes, which are so small?" The Rallo family not only dedicated the wine to her – it has given her its face, on one of the most recognisable labels in Sicily. Nero d'Avola, Syrah and Nocera – a blend from the heart of Sicilian winegrowing history, cultivated between 200 and 500 metres on the Tenuta di Contessa Entellina in the south-west of the island. Two months on the fine lees in the tank, two months in the bottle.

Plumbago is the name of the wild plant with violet flowers that grows in the woods surrounding the Baglio and the vineyards of Ulmo, the Planeta family’s ancestral estate in Menfi. Its name says it all: in Latin, ‘plumbago’ means ‘ever-blue’ – the colour of its flowers, dark and velvety like the wine to which it lends its name. The vines are planted on old plots around Lago Arancio – in the Belice Valley, whose proximity gives the vineyard a more balanced microclimate: milder temperatures, more humidity at night, and a ripening process that brings out the soft, fruity character of the Nero d’Avola rather than its power. Hand-harvested, stainless steel, 10 months in French oak barrels – measured and precise.

Brilliant ruby red in the glass with a purple shimmer – youthful and inviting. The aroma combines ripe blackberries, black cherries, a hint of violets and subtle peppery spice, typical of the Mediterranean Syrah style. On the palate, La Clarissa is supple and juicy, with ripe fruit, soft tannins and a fresh acidity. Ageing in stainless steel tanks preserves precision and varietal character. An uncomplicated but well-made Syrah for every day – with Sicilian soul and Mediterranean flavour. Perfect with pasta al ragù, grilled vegetables or simply chilled for a cosy evening on the terrace. 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.

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

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

The Tenuta Sallier de la Tour is located in Monreale – a few kilometres from the sea, nestled in the gentle foothills of the Valle dello Jato. Coastal winds, pronounced temperature fluctuations between day and night, fresh sandy soils of medium texture: conditions that give the Syrah a naturalness and freshness that cannot be taken for granted in the Sicilian summer heat. 100% Syrah, harvested by hand, traditional white wine vinification, fermentation at 14 °C, three months on the fine lees in steel. No malolactic fermentation – the acidity remains lively, the fruit direct. Madamarosé is the antithesis of La Monaca Syrah from the same estate: the same grape variety, a completely different result.

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

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 lend the wine a lively freshness and aromatic purity.

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 soils. 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 of maturation on the lees in steel tanks. Cool, precise, with respect for a grape variety that needs no disguise.

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, the Guarnaccio evokes memories of an ancient winemaking tradition.

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