Sicily

• Mt. Etna

From Sicilia DOC, this is 100% Catarratto grapes.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has golden raisins with green apple notes.  There is a lovely oily texture that is slightly viscous.  On the palate, the green apples come thru.  Lower acidity.  This works better with food though certainly enjoyable  on its own.  Swordfish would be a nice accompaniment.  Drink over the next couple years.  

This is 100% Nero D'Avola from Sicily.  This is another value priced wine that drinks well and is also quite interesting.  For those unfamiliar with this grape it is similar to Pinot Noir with a bit less body and a bit more acidity.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries and anise.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, nice cherry fruit with good acidity.  A bit of anise (black licorice) on the finish.  This drinks better with food.  Pasta or pizza would be a nice match.  Drink over the next few years.  

This is made from the Grillo grape in Sicily.  Light yellow/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has a nice minerality along with a touch of salinity and a bit of melon/cantaloupe.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is dry with a nice texture.  The cantaloupe comes thru along with a touch of lemon candy.  Enough acidity, especially on the finish to give it some energy and zing.  This is drinking well on its own but will work well with lighter summer dinners.  Drink over the next couple of years.  A very nice value at MSRP $15.  

This is a certified Organic wine made from 100% Ner d'Avola grapes in Sicily. 13.5% ABV.

This is 100% Certified Organic Nero Mascalese grapes from Sicily grown in sandy soils in western Sicily.  A really great value.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is very nice with cherries, black cherries, slight smoke and slight herbal note (chervil?).  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has black cherry fruit with underlying char.  Also a bit of pepperiness.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  Somewhat like a mythical blend of Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.  This was a real crowd pleaser among friends I served it to.  Drinking quite well on its own, this would work great with pas

This is a white wine made in Sicily from Certified Organic Grillo (pronounced GREE-lo) grapes at a Co-Op.  12.5% ABV.  Golden in color with a very slight copper hue, clear and bright.  The nose is nice, minerals, quince, and a very slight minty note.  Slightly viscous with a medium body.  On the palate, the minerality comes thru along with lemons, and quince.  There is a slightly bitter note (lemon pith?) on the finish.  The finish is of moderate length.  Overall, this is a very refreshing wine that was quite a  hit with a few friends I shared the remains of the bottle with.  It got better

This is a lovely Pinot Grigio from Sicily.  It comes in a tinted green clear bottles, but the wine is silvery copper/gold in color.  On the nose there is a nice steeliness to it along with some limes.  With air, a bit of chalk emerges.  Nice acidity with a slightly oily texture.  On the palate, this is dry.  Notes of lemons and wintergreen.  Slight tannins.  The finish has sour lemon candy.  This is a big wine with some warmth to it.  Very refreshing on its own but worked better with a Watermelon, Feta and Mint salad.  This should be consumed in the next two or three years but the sooner th

This was ordered off the menu at Ceres Table in Chicago's Lakeview East area.  While I have had the reds many times, this was my first time trying the white.  It is made up of 100% Chardonnay grown at around 3,000 feet on the side of Mt.

This is an Italian white from Kevin Harvey.  If that name sounds familiar, he is the owner of Rhys in Santa Cruz, California and a maker of wonderful Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.  This is his first vintage and is made from the Carricante grape, a white grape indigenous to Sicily.  The wine itself is delicious.  Light golden in color.  The nose is reminiscent of a Hermitage Blanc.  It is very waxy with lemon curd.  There is also a slightly smokiness to it.  On the palate, this has great acidity.  The wine is fresh with lots of energy.  The lemon curd carries thru but there is also a nice und

Very nice showing for this wine which seems to be at the younger side of peak right now.  Grown on the side of Mount Etna and made from Nero Mascalese.  It drinks very much like a smoky Pinot Noir.  Garnet in color.  The nose has cherries and underlying char.  On the palate, wispy tannins.  Lots of cherries with depth and concentration.  Great acidity.  Long finish.  This is a very interesting wine that demands contemplation but is also quite tasty.  Will work great with pasta, veggies and medium and lighter foods.