Bianco Grillo & Catarratto 2020

The Wine: Bianco Grillo & Catarratto 2020

Viteadovest Bianco is a skin-contact natural wine made from a blend of Grillo and Catarratto grapes grown on clay and limestone soils near Mazara del Vallo, Western Sicily. Spontaneous fermentation with native yeast, unfined, minimal sulfites at bottling. Sicilian orange wine; tea, ripe orange, honey, white flowers. Stunning wine.

The Producer: Viteadovest

Our company was born from the history of a land that has seen its children grow on the vine, it derives from the union of the vineyards of two families, Portelli-Puleo, and Angileri. The land is distributed on the territory of the municipalities of Marsala and Mazara del Vallo, five hectares divided into six different areas cultivated with vines for more than a century. Almost all the vines are raised as saplings, with low yields per hectare and cultivated according to the dictates of tradition. We have always been farmers who sold their wine to small shops or to the wine factories of Marsala, we have gradually transformed into grape producers, breaking that link that is the unavoidable vineyard/winery, the only way to obtain products of the highest quality. From 2013 the decision to resume the interrupted journey and in the light of the experiences made by me and my father, as enotecologists in time and on the territory, we have returned to producing wine. (source: Viteadovest)

The Region: Sicily

Sicily is Italy’s biggest island and also its biggest region. It’s separated from the mainland by the Strait of Messina (Stretto di Messina). The capital of Sicily is Palermo, a majestically decadent multicultural city offering one of the richest culinary traditions in Italy.

Sicily’s history and culture are fascinating, to say the least. Their complexity is manifest in the diverse architecture of its cities. All over the region and particularly in Palermo we can find Arab, Greek, Roman, and Spanish influences in the layout of the city as well as in the food and local language.

Sicily is the third biggest producing country in Italy, behind Veneto and Tuscany. The quality of Sicilian wines has increased steadily over the past 30 years. Some international grape varietals - mainly chardonnay and syrah - have found a place in Sicilian viticulture, traditionally dominated by native varietals such as Nero d’Avola, Catarratto, Grillo, and Inzolia.

The Terroir of Sicily

Sicily proximity to Northern Africa and position right at the center of the Mediterranean reflect deeply on its climate. Endless sunshine, moderate rainfalls, and good aeration characterize pretty much the whole region with minor seasonal variations. Palm trees and other tropical plants and fruits are a fairly common sight in Sicily all year round.

Among the several benefits of this climate one stands out: in Sicily, grapes can grow without being imperiled by mildew, rot, or any other disease brought by too much humidity. Sicilian grapes are generally speaking naturally healthy, hence the substantial number of certified organic or biodynamic wineries.

The Red Wines of Sicily

The most widely planted red grape varietal in Sicily is Nero d'Avola, which accounts for about 20% of the total regional wine production. Frappato is another prominent red varietal, used to make the only DOCG wine in Sicily, Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG.

Less common but typical of Sicily are Alicante, similar to Grenache, Nocera, and Perrone, often blended with Nero d'Avola. On the slopes of the active volcano Mount Etna, Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio are key red grape varietals in the popular Etna DOC appellation.

The White Wines of Sicily

Marsala and Passito di Pantelleria are perhaps the most famous Sicilian white wines, although their popularity has been waning over the years in favor of dry and refreshing white wines made from native varietals Inzolia and Grillo are fairly easy to find in the United States and generally very good.

In a similar way to Umbria, the Central Italian region known for the red tannic wine Sagrantino di Montefalco, Chardonnay has found its place also in Sicily. Chardonnay from Sicily can vary in quality depending on the producer.

On Primal Wine we sell one of the few 100% Chardonnay vinified with extended skin-contact in the style of an Orange Wine made by the excellent Marabino winery from organically farmed grapes.