Wines from Sicily

Zisola is the Tuscan dream of the Mazzei family in the south of Sicily. The winery's bestseller is made from 100% Nero d'Avola from traditional Alberello vines near Noto, where chalky soils and proximity to the sea balance the natural exuberance of this indigenous grape variety with freshness and elegance. The Marchesi Mazzei, one of Italy's most historic winegrowing families with over 600 years of tradition, have been continuing their Sicilian project since 2003. 24 hectares of vineyards surround the historic bagli of the 50-hectare tenuta with a view of the baroque UNESCO World Heritage Site of Noto. Hand-picked and fermented for 14-16 days at 26-28°C, the wine matures for 10 months in French oak barrels (33% new).

As an introduction to the world of Gulfi, Rossojbleo is a restrained Nero d'Avola full of character. The grapes come from organic farming in the heart of southern Sicily – very close to Noto and Ragusa, on ancient hills characterised by limestone and clay soils. Here, deep origin and precise acidity combine to create a charming red wine full of transparency. Ruby in colour with delicate violet reflections. The aromatic freshness attracts the nose with red sour and wild berries, subtle herbal notes and a mineral flavour. Convincing on the palate with its balanced proportions: Juicy fruit, lively acidity, light spice and delicate, soft tannins – everything seems light as a feather, but the flavour is clear and harmonious. The finish is delicately savoury, elegant and immediately prepares you for the next sip. SUPERIORE.DE

In the gently undulating hills of Contessa Entellina in western Sicily, where Mediterranean winds meet calcareous clay soils, a Chardonnay with an unmistakable island character is produced year after year: La Fuga. The vines grow at medium altitudes between 200 and 600 metres above sea level, benefit from strong temperature differences between day and night and develop an expressive spectrum of aromas – far removed from the opulent style of many international representatives of the variety.

A white wine with its own signature: Valcanzjria combines Carricante – the noble grape variety of Etna – with the Mediterranean charm of Chardonnay and Albanello. The grapes grow in Val Canzeria near Chiaramonte Gulfi on calcareous soils at an altitude of around 400 metres. The interplay of altitude, cool nights and loamy substrates ensures freshness, tension and aromatic depth. Pale straw yellow in the glass with a greenish tinge. The aroma is delicate and complex: white flowers, yellow apple, lime zest, a hint of almonds and fine herbs. On the palate, Valcanzjria is straightforward, dry and precise – with lively acidity, salty minerality and a subtle creaminess that comes from ageing on fine lees in stainless steel. A balanced, modern white wine with a regional profile and invigorating freshness. SUPERIORE.DE

At the heart of the north-eastern Etna amphitheatre, where Silvia Maestrelli's vision turned to stone, lies Fessina: a name that sounds like a whisper through the volcanic winds. Here, in the Frazione Rovittello of Castiglione di Sicilia, between two ancient lava flows from 1809 and 1911, a dream came true in 2007. Silvia, the pioneer – a Tuscan with a Milanese soul and a Sicilian heart – was the first woman on the volcano to recognise the extraordinary potential of this difficult, masculine earth. With the tenacity of a visionary and the sensitivity of a "female oenological vision", she created a refuge of excellence after long negotiations with the countless owners of the fragmented plots.

The Lupo line from COS bears an animal in its name that in Sicily symbolises wildness, independence and the unspoilt nature of the island. The Nero di Lupo is the "black of the wolf". The Rosa di Lupo is its lighter, lighter counterpart – a rosato made from 100% Nero d'Avola, from the same terroir: Vittoria, south-eastern Sicily, 230 metres, sandy soil with limestone subsoil and silicon veins, biodynamically cultivated. 15-year-old vines, Guyot, 5,000 vines per hectare, hand-picked in September. Vinification follows the consistent COS philosophy: spontaneous fermentation on the skins in the press, a few hours of skin contact for colour and depth of aroma without tannin weight. Then seven months in concrete vats. Natural yeasts, no added sulphur.

Between the lava flows of Rovittello, a wine is created that reveals the delicate side of the volcano. Erse Rosato, made predominantly from Nerello Cappuccio and a smaller proportion of Nerello Mascalese from the only hectare of vineyards exposed to the north-east at an altitude of 700 metres. Here, where the morning breeze blows up from the Alcantara Valley and the afternoon heat is kept at bay by the ancient sciare, a rosato of exceptional personality develops. The two Nerello varieties are vinified separately with a cold maceration of 12 hours at 12-14°C to gently extract colour and aromas before being combined for alcoholic fermentation and subsequent refinement in stainless steel tanks.

Nero di Lupo is COS’s elegant take on Nero d’Avola – , interpreted as light, fruity and mineral. The vines are rooted in red, calcareous loam soils, interspersed with sandy deposits and layers of silicate that have shaped the character of Vittoria over thousands of years. At an altitude of around 230–300 metres, these soils bring freshness and vibrancy to the wine – a clearly defined reflection of the terroir.

Erse Etna Rosso has a lively and spicy bouquet of sour cherries, dried roses, cloves and a hint of fresh mint. Round and juicy on the palate, yet pure, with mineral red berries that saturate, while the lively acidity retains a fantastic freshness. A subtle coating of fine tannins and a saline note define the final as it tapers gently and grippingly under a hint of red flowers. Wonderful value. SUPERIORE.DE

Giardino Pantesco is a liquid short holiday on Pantelleria – as golden as a last ray of sunshine at sunset, carried by the history and terroir of this magical island. The name refers to the "Giardini Panteschi", the centuries-old dry stone walls built in a round shape that intercept the wind and stabilise the microclimate for crops such as the gnarled Zibibbo vine. Those who savour this passito will feel the reverence for this landscape and tradition with every sip.

Vigna di Gabri is a classic white wine with high standards that realises the idea of an elegant, autochthonous Sicilian wine in a refined form. Ansonica (Inzolia) forms the basis, supplemented by smaller proportions of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Catarratto – a finely balanced cuvée with origin and style. The grapes come from the hills of Contessa Entellina, where limestone-rich soils and high altitudes ensure freshness and aromatic complexity. Bright straw yellow in colour with golden reflections. The bouquet smells of white peach, candied lemon, herbs and some broom, underpinned by fine mineral notes. Structured and smooth on the palate, with clear fruit, fine flavour and well-integrated acidity. A well-balanced, pleasantly dry white wine with fine complexity – ideal with fish, white meat or Sicilian cuisine with a fresh herbal flavour. For us, Vigna di Gabri is and remains one of the discreet and high-quality classics in Donnafugata's portfolio. SUPERIORE.DE

Floramundi combines the sensual power of Nero d'Avola with the elegance of Frappato – a classic Cerasuolo di Vittoria that charmingly harmonises the DOCG origin, freshness and finesse. The vines grow in south-east Sicily on red sand and limestone soils around Vittoria. Maturation in stainless steel tanks followed by ageing in the bottle preserves the freshness and aromatic expressiveness of this traditional appellation.

An exceptionally characterful and powerful Cerasuolo di Vittoria made from equal parts Frappato and Nero d'Avola. On the nose, it displays a pure bouquet of sweet violets, black cherries and hints of wet stone. It impresses with its silky texture, enveloping the palate with bright red and blue fruits, along with a refreshing wave of juicy acidity. Hints of spiced orange and inner flowers linger long into the well-structured, long final. Perfect at the table. SUPERIORE.DE

Nero d'Avola and Nocera in a classic cuvée, matured for 12 months in 25hl tonneaux – planetas Mamertino comes from the clay and limestone hills of Baronia in the province of Messina. The traditional DOC area goes back to a Roman designation and was already recognised as a wine of distinction by Pliny the Elder. A dense ruby red colour with a violet hue in the glass. The bouquet is full of character and brooding: dark cherries, blackberries and preserved plums meet herbs, balsamic notes, leather and a hint of tobacco. Powerful on the palate, with ripe tannins, dark fruit and a spicy, mineral backbone. The Nocera grape brings freshness and structure, while the Nero d'Avola provides fullness and density. The long, balanced finish clearly reveals the origin and ageing process. An independent red wine from the north-east of the island that combines history and modern elegance in a very exciting way. SUPERIORE.DE

The Rosato from the Alta Mora range is made from old Nerello Mascalese vines growing on slopes between 600 and 800 metres above sea level on the northern flanks of Mount Etna. The barren, volcanic soils, characterised by lava rock and mineral ash, lend the wine a tension typical of its terroir and a delicate, salty depth. The grapes are harvested early and pressed immediately to preserve freshness and finesse. The wine is aged exclusively in stainless steel.

Diego and Alberto Cusumano had a dream that took many years to realise. The family, the third generation of one of Sicily's most important wine houses, searched for years for the right piece of Etna – and found it in Castiglione di Sicilia in 2013. On the northern slope of the volcano, in districts such as Verzella, Feudo di Mezzo, Guardiola and Solicchiata, at an altitude of 800 metres, in black, mineral-rich lava soils. Alta Mora – high and black – is not just a name. It is a description of the place. 100% Nerello Mascalese, hand-picked in October. Mash fermentation lasts twelve days in steel, followed by six months in large 25 hectolitre oak barrels. An accessible entry into the Alta Mora portfolio – and a clear statement: the Nerello Mascalese at these altitudes needs no staging.

Bell'Assai is a fragrant, elegant Frappato from the chalky and sandy soils around Vittoria in south-east Sicily. The grape variety shows itself here in its most delicate form – with a delicate structure, fine fruit and excellent freshness. A clear ruby red colour with a purple hue in the glass. Bell'Assai is aromatic and delicate on the nose: red cherries, raspberries, floral hints of rose and violets and a hint of white spices. Juicy and silky on the palate with a moderate structure, lively acidity and elegant, almost dancing freshness. The tannins are discreet, the finish is fruit-orientated and subtly spicy. A delicate, charming red wine that is ideal with antipasti, grilled fish or light pasta dishes – and is also a real pleasure when slightly chilled. A frappato full of style and joie de vivre. SUPERIORE.DE

Here is one of the finest expressions of the white Carricante grape variety, aged on the fine lees for six months. Alta Mora Bianco comes from vineyards on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, where Carricante vines thrive at altitudes of 600 to 900 metres – directly on volcanic rock rich in minerals and ash. The cool altitude, combined with intense sunshine and significant day-night temperature variations, imbues this wine with an unmistakable freshness, structure and salty tension. The wine is aged exclusively in stainless steel to ensure that the purity of the grape variety and the terroir is conveyed unadulterated in the glass.

According to legend, the River Dirillo, near the Dorilli estate, is said to be the site where Aeneas landed on his odyssey from Troy. Whether this is true cannot be proven. What can be proven, however, is that this area, nestled between the southern coast and the Iblean Mountains, has an extraordinary history of winegrowing. Dorilli is the quintessence of Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico – the highest tier of this unique Sicilian DOCG. Planeta vinifies it from carefully selected vines at the estate of the same name in Acate: 70% Nero d'Avola, 30% Frappato di Vittoria, grown on the characteristic loose red sand with a layer of tuff that defines the terroir of Vittoria from within. Organically farmed according to the SOStain protocol.

Saia is the pride and joy of Feudo Maccari – a Nero d'Avola from old bush vines rooted in the barren, chalky soils around Noto. The name refers to the ancient Arab irrigation channels of Sicily – a symbol of lifelines in a sun-scorched landscape. This wine is also an expression of origin, patience and resilience: a Nero d'Avola that could hardly be more purist and powerful. The vines are on average 35 to 45 years old and are trained in Alberello, which reduces yields but maximises concentration and depth. After selective manual harvesting, fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature in steel, after which the wine matures for twelve months in French barriques. This careful vinification preserves the balance between structure, maturity and freshness.

Profound and yet accessible: Cygnus presents itself as an artfully composed liaison between Sicilian passion and international elegance. The cuvée – made from around 60% Nero d'Avola, supplemented by approx. 40% Cabernet Sauvignon – tells the story of two characters: the spirited autochthonous grape variety and the structurally clear, international grape. The name refers to a charming anecdote from the family: in 1881, Richard Wagner devoted himself to swan motifs during a garden stay at Villa Tasca in Palermo, while he was completing the third act of his opera Parsifal – a historical event that appropriately honours Cygnus.