…beginning with sherry Barbadillo Manzanilla Pasada Pastora En Rama (2017 bottling), Spain (£9.99 per half Amazon, Cambridge Wine Merchants, Taurus Wines, Roberts and Speight, The Dorset Wine Co, Mumbles Fine Wine) Has the classic bracing briny edge of Manzanilla, but this is deeper in colour, and weightier, with pungest yeasty […]
Sicily
A variety of Italian wines, mostly red, beginning in the North West Renato Ratti Langhe Nebbiolo “Ochetti” 2015, Piedmont, Italy (£20.49 Hailsham Cellars, Hoults, CMT Wines, Larner Bros, Mumbles Fine Wines, Liquorice, Framlingham Wines, Banstead Vintners) Promising young wine, starts off with (reduced) aromas of blackcurrant pastilles but then open […]
An Italian Assortment
Feudo di Santa Tresa Rina Ianca Grillo/Viognier 2016, Sicily, Italy (£8.99-£9.99 Adnams, Vintage Roots, Ocado, Stainton Wines, Budgens) Very attractive wine with the nutty, heady floral peaches and cream of Viognier balanced by the perkier textured wet walnut of Grillo, quite rich, even naughty and voluptuous, but then has a […]
Feudo di Santa Tresa Rina Ianca Grillo/Viognier 2016, Sicily, Italy
Castèllo Solicchìata 2011, Sicilia, Italy (£22 Laithwaites) Slightly rustic volatile aroma initially but this diminishes with time to show Morello cherry and blackcurrant flavours pepped up with hints of tar and leafy tobacco. Fresh finish, but there’s a slightly dry, raisinny feel, as if some of the grape were a […]
Castèllo Solicchìata 2011, Sicilia, Italy
Il Grillo di Santa Tresa Vino Spumante Brut, Sicily, Italy (£12.75 Vintage Roots) A wine that grows on you, there’s some sprightly bitter lemon plus a richer honeyed nutty character, and as it opens up, a briny tang appears to add further character. B(+)
Italian Fizz – but it’s not Prosecco. Or Franciacorta. Or ...
Fattorie Romeo del Castello ‘Allegracore’ Etna Rosso 2013, Sicily, Italy (£19.50 Tanners) Intriguing wine, gently spicy with a hint of smoky bacon – oak or not? – alongside the warm, plummy red cherry and strawberry flavours. Lovely violet fragrance too, but there’s also a whack of tannin for a backbone. […]