Feruary 2020. Pippa Hayward, Sicilian WInes

This month we had Pippa Hayward, Wine Educator and also of the The Good Wine Shop in Kew, presenting Sicilian Wines.

The wines were:

1. Mandarossa Vermentino 2018 Cantine Settesoli, Menfi. IGT Sicilia. Grape: Vermentino. From: The Wine Society £6.95
2. Regaliali Case Vecchie 2017. Tenuta Tasca D'Almerita. DOC Sicilia. Grapes: Inzolia, Greciano, Catarratto, Chardonnay. From: Majestic £8.99
3. Grillo 2018. DOC Sicilia. Grape: Grillo. From: Marks & Spencer £7.00
4. Frappato 2018, Cantine Paolini, Marsala. IGPT Siciliane. Grape: Frappato. From: The Good Wine Shop in Kew, £9.50
5. Fondo Filara Etna Rosso 2016. Tenuta Nicosia, Catania. DOC Etna Rosso. Grapes: Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio. From: The Wine Society £12.50
6. Nero d'Avola 2017. Tenuta Rapitale, Camporeale, Palermo. DOC Sicilia. Grape: Nero d'Avola. From: Waitrose £9.99
7. The Society's Sicilian Reserve Red 2015. DOC Rosso Sicilia Reserva. Grape: Nero d'Avola. From: The Wine Society £8.50
8. Marsala Superiore Dolce 5 Anni. Cantine Vito Curatolo Arini. DOC Marsala Superiore Dolce. Grapes: Grillo, Catarratto, Inzolia. From: Waitrose £11.99

The eagle eyed will spot several uncommon grape varieties in there, all native to Sicily. With the Frappato – a light red – Pippa introduced us to the smashing concept of the “school night red” - a light, lowish alcohol red wine, ideal for a “school night”. A terrific idea!

The first 3 whites, all well made, clean, fresh, showed that there is nothing to be scared of from these less common grape varieties, although as Sicily is a massive wine producer, they aren't really that “uncommon”at all. Sicily produces more wine than Australia.

2 of the 3 reds are Nero d'Avola, a Scilian grape variety we've not seen that much of in the UK until recently. I remember early versions were somewhat challenging, but they are improving in leaps and bounds, and certainly the Wine Society version can hold it's head up at the price.

The last wine, the Marsala has a bit of a story. The rules for Marsala were “relaxed” which meant almost anything went, so much Marsala was just not Marsala, and quite often wierd. The Italians have put some effort into tightening the rules, with the rsult of a much improved and consistent wine. Try it.