COS

COS Pithos Bianco 2022

$35.00
$35.00
Description

COS Pithos Bianco is a skin-contact natural wine (orange wine) made from 100% Grecanico grapes sourced from the estate Fontane organic vineyard, Sicily, Southern Italy. Spontaneous fermentation for ten to fifteen days in amphorae on the skins with indigenous yeast. Aged in amphorae for seven months followed by three months in the bottle before release.

Why we like it


Dry/Sweet:, Dry
Wine Type:, Orange
Wine Style:, Medium Body
Grapes:, Grecanico
Farming:, Organic
Vintage:, 2022
Alcohol:, 12%
Country:, Italy
Region:, Sicily
Appellation:, Terre Siciliane Bianco
Bottle Size:, 750ml
Sugar level:, Low Sugar, Zero Added Sugar

Food Pairing Ideas:

Pasta alle sarde.

 

Producer profile

COS

COS was founded in 1980 by Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti, and Cirino Strano. The winery's name, COS, is an acronym derived from the initials of the founders' surnames. This winery has played a pivotal role in highlighting the potential of Sicily's terroir, contributing significantly to the region's reputation for producing top-tier wines.

The winery's roots trace back to the 1880s when Sicilian wines were highly sought after due to the absence of phylloxera, an insect pest that devastated many of the world's vineyards. Sicily's winemaking history dates back to the 8th century BCE, but it's only in recent decades that the region has been recognized for producing high-quality wines. COS has been instrumental in this transformation, showcasing the ability to create complex and fresh wines despite Sicily's southernmost location.

The Vittoria region, where COS is located, is characterized by limestone substrates under a layer of red clay. This unique soil composition contributes significantly to the wines' freshness and balance. Giusto Occhipinti, one of the founders, views the vineyard as a vital asset, akin to a life's savings, warranting utmost protection and care. This philosophy has led COS to embrace organic and biodynamic farming practices, avoiding synthetic or chemical additives. The winery started practicing biodynamic viticulture in 2000 and received organic certification in 2007.

COS is renowned for its approach to aging wines, notably using 440-liter clay amphorae sourced from Spain alongside neutral botti and concrete tanks. The use of clay, which is porous like oak but less influential in flavor transmission, is particularly notable. The winery utilizes stainless steel tanks exclusively for assembling wine before bottling. Extended macerations, including for white wines, are a hallmark of COS's winemaking. They are believed to impart natural preservatives to the wines, minimizing the need for sulfur additions.

Among its notable wines, COS is famed for its Cerasuolo di Vittoria and Pithos Rosso, aged exclusively in amphorae. Della Fontana is a distinguished single-vineyard Cerasuolo. Pithos Bianco, crafted from the Grecanico grape (a regional variant of Garganega), stood out in the realm of whites and matured in amphorae. The COS portfolio is known for its elegance and purity, with standout wines like the floral Frappato and the fruity Nero di Lupo (Nero D'Avola).

COS's approach to winemaking is deeply rooted in the rich history of Sicilian viticulture, paying homage to the region's millennia-old heritage. The winery's innovative practices, combined with a respect for tradition, result in wines that are both a tribute to Sicily's past and a representation of its contemporary winemaking excellence.

Wine region

Sicily, Italy

Sicily, Italy's largest island and its most extensive region, is a treasure trove of natural wine wonders. Nestled just across the Strait of Messina from the mainland, it boasts Palermo as its capital. This city is a melting pot of cultures, where Arab, Greek, Roman, and Spanish influences merge, not just in its mesmerizing architecture but also in its rich culinary heritage, including its thriving natural wine scene.

The island's history is as complex as it is captivating, mirrored in its diverse cultural tapestry. This complexity extends to its viticulture. Sicily ranked as Italy's third largest wine-producing region after Veneto and Tuscany, has seen a remarkable evolution in wine quality over the last three decades. While international grape varieties like Chardonnay and Syrah are making their mark, it's the indigenous varietals - Nero d’Avola, Catarratto, Grillo, and Inzolia - that truly define Sicilian natural winemaking. These native grapes, thriving in Sicily's unique terroir, give life to natural wines that are as vibrant and varied as the island itself.

Frequently asked question

We will process and ship your order in 2-3 business days, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking as soon as the Carrier scans the shipping label.

Ground shipping time depends on location, here's a breakdown:

West Coast: 1-2 business days
Midwest: 3-4 business days
East Coast: 5 business days

Process time is not shipping time. Shipping time starts from the days successive to the day of shipping, after the order has been processed.

See here our shipping policy.

Signature on delivery is mandatory for wine deliveries. Please make sure someone is at the shipping address to sign for the package.

If applicable, please consider delivering the package to a business address to ensure someone is available to sign for the package.

We also have the option of delivering the package to a Carrier's store for pickup. Please reach out to us to coordinate.

Carrier will try to delivery a package up to three times before returning the package to us.

See here our shipping policy.

If you miss a delivery and a package gets returned to us we have two options:

1) Reship the package right away: due to the very high cost of shipping and returns, we must charge a re-shipping fee to be determined based on package size and shipping destination.

2) Consolidate the returned package with your next order: this option is free of charge and it's the most popular option.

See here our shipping policy.

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What is natural wine?

Natural wine is a type of wine made in small batches from hand-harvested organic or biodynamic grapes with minimal intervention in the cellar.
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What is Biodynamics?

Biodynamic wine is wine made naturally from grapes farmed biodynamically. Biodynamic farming is a holistic approach to farming.
Black and white photo of a hand harvesting grapes in the vineyards, buy natural wine online on Primal Wine online store - primalwine.com

What is organic wine?

Organic wine is made with grapes farmed organically. Organic farming is a type of farming alternative to conventional farming.
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What is vegan wine?

Vegan wine is wine made without using animal products during the fining phase of the clarification process. Before wine is bottled it is usually clarified.