Nicosia 'Sabbie di Sutta' Frappato, Sicily, Italy 2022

Just a few miles from the southernmost tip of the Italian peninsula, in a corner of Sicily that smells like Africa, is the lively agricultural center of Vittoria, home to Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico. The surrounding territory, set between two rivers, is characterized by its fertility and typical Mediterranean climate. The large Bonincontro vineyards are found in the heart of this area historically devoted to making high-quality wines. The characteristic sandy texture soils are ideal for raising the native grapes of Frappato, which are organically grown here with the guyot vine training system.

• Winemaker: Maria Carella
• Farming: Certified Eco-Friendly Practices - Made with Organic Grapes, Vegan
• Variety: 100% Frappato
• Terroir:  From the 'Contrada Bonincontro' vineyard, 60ha of 15+ year old vines on medium textured sandy soil, 656 feet in elevation with southern exposure. 
• Vinification: Cold macerated for 24 hours and fermented in stainless steel tank for 10-15 days with pumpovers. Total SO2: 77ppm
• Tasting Note: Vivid ruby red with violet highlights. The wine has a pleasantly fragrant bouquet of fresh red fruits, raspberries, and blueberries. The palate is lively, fruity, and smooth.
• Food Pairing: Excellent partner for pasta dishes with tomato sauce, sweet and sour vegetables, or with the classic Neapolitan pizza.

2024 Explore Like A Somm Bottle Cult Notes:

Cantine Nicosia Sabbie di Sutta Frappato, Sicily, Italy 2021
Founded in 1898 on the slopes of Mt. Etna, Cantine Nicosia is a historic 5th-generation family-owned winery rooted in the land and dedicated to producing great Sicilian wines. They are a tribute to the heart of Sicily, crafted from native varieties that find an ideal terroir on the island and embody the light and warmth of the Mediterranean climate and the untamed, exuberant character of the volcanic soils. Mt. Etna, one of the tallest and most active volcanoes in the world, creates an incredible and unique environment for viticulture. In the last 20 years, the Etna DOC (est. 1968) has become one of the most exciting appellations in Italy, and Cantine Nicosia is proud to be one of the original wineries operating on Mt. Etna, as well as one of the few still shepherding their own grapes from vine to bottle. In addition, Cantine Nicosia proudly holds several certifications in sustainability and organic winemaking through technology and innovative viticultural practices.
Frappato is an age-old varietal typical of southeastern Sicily, dating back to the 17th century. Just a few miles from the southernmost tip of the Italian peninsula and set between two rivers, the region is characterized by its fertility and typical Mediterranean climate; the characteristic sandy-textured soils are ideal for raising the native grapes of Frappato. The vines, which are organically grown using the Guyot vine training system, feature elongated bunches and grapes with an intense red, almost violet color, and produce wines known for their heady fruity aromas, freshness, and mellow palate. The 2022 vintage of Sabbie di Sutta (sabbie means “sands” in Italian) is 100% Frappato harvested from the 60ha Contrada Bonincontro vineyard. The clusters undergo 10-15 days of fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and 3 months of bottle aging. It is meant to be light and bright!
This bottle stuns the eyes, nose, and tongue! Vivid ruby red color with violet highlights. The nose explodes with a fragrant bouquet of fresh red raspberries, blueberries, and cherries, cherries, cherries! The palate is lively, fruity, and smooth, with that hint of minerality I love in Etna wines. She has a rustic edge but is still elegant and not overly “dusty,” as I personally find many Italian reds to be. This summer, I will be serving this gorgeous girl lightly chilled alongside Moroccan tagine. She would pair equally flawlessly with seafood dishes such as octopus, cioppino, and squid ink pasta (do yourself a favor and pick up a tin of squids in ink right now!). —Karen Smith, June 2024