{"title":"Wines of Sicily","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Mediterranean's largest island is steeped in fire. Its many volcanoes have shaped both the Sicilian land and the rich imaginary world that surrounds it. For it was in Mount Etna - whose etymology \"aith\" means \"I burn\" - that Hephaestus, the Greek god of fire, held his forge. But Sicily also emerges from a water made of mirages that used to frighten sailors away: the Strait of Messina is said to be home to the castle of Morgana the Fairy. Weather permitting, tiny droplets of rarefied water suspended in the air act like a magnifying glass, reflecting the Sicilian landscape in the sea or sky and bringing the smallest details of the island closer. It was to this mirage that a king succumbed when Morgana appeared to him, promising to reclaim whatever she showed him: he stepped towards the landscape he thought was only a stone's throw away, and drowned in the sea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese legends tell of the extent to which this land is both feared for the untamable natural forces that animate it, and coveted, having been so often occupied by various conquerors, from the Phoenicians to the Arabs, including the Greeks. Attracted by its fertile soils and strategic location between Africa and Europe, they left behind numerous remains: temples, theaters and fortresses, as well as coins, mosaics and pieces of pottery that resurface from time to time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSicily's terroir is a reflection of its rich and turbulent history: there are seven types of soil; its landscapes are diverse, mostly made up of hills and coasts, rocky in the north and sandy in the south; its vegetation varies between Mediterranean and subtropical flora; its climate is mixed, with a wide range of temperatures, inviting rain but also the sirocco, a wind that originates in the African desert and carries the sand of the Sahara. All this amid intense volcanic activity. The winegrowers have resigned themselves to this environment: on these hillsides, which are inaccessible to machinery, picking is still done by hand, and the spacing of the vines takes into account Etna's possible irruptions, so that they are surrounded by olive, fig and citrus trees or wild areas that preserve the equilibrium of the place. The vineyards are planted at altitude, often on terraces. The volcanic soils, which do not allow parasites such as phylloxera to develop, protect the vines, so that some, planted over a hundred years ago, are still thriving.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWine production in Sicily - which can be traced back over three millennia - had a strong productivist tendency in the 20th century. The ten million hectoliters of wine produced annually in the 70s were shipped in bulk to other regions of Italy and Europe, serving to blend other wines, and giving them more body. From this period, Sicilian winemakers brought with them grape varieties grown elsewhere, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Since then, however, the quality of Sicilian vintages has gained ground, particularly with indigenous grape varieties such as Nero d'Avola, Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio for reds, and Carricante and Grillo for whites, which are among the island's 85 indigenous grape varieties. These have succeeded in establishing themselves at regional and international level, certainly blessed by the fires of Mount Etna.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"tornatore-etna-bianco-2022","title":"Tornatore Etna Bianco 2022","description":"\u003ch4\u003eNotes of lemon, flowers and candied fruit mingle with Etna's distinctive smoky minerality.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTornatore's Etna Bianco is a typical Sicilian dry white with an explosive and impressive character. Straw-yellow in color, fruity on the nose, intensely mineral on the palate, it is made from Carricante grapes. Scents of green apple and grapefruit are mingled with atypical notes of aromatic herbs and flint, which are easily found on the palate with an invigorating lemony finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Tornatore family has been working the vineyards and terroir of Castiglione di Sicilia, on the northern slopes of the Etna volcano, since the 1930s. Today, the family owns 60 hectares, situated between 550 and 700m above sea level, making it one of the largest DOC Etna estates. The winery was built with low environmental impact and features state-of-the-art equipment. Renewable energy sources are used for its operation. The combination of soil, climate and the wisdom of the winemakers has made Etna's northern slopes ideal for the production of top-quality wines that are above all special and unique.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pardela Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47438391804243,"sku":"0516","price":19.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/4847\/4451\/files\/Etna_Bianco.png?v=1706179849"},{"product_id":"tornatore-pietrarizzo-etna-bianco-2021","title":"Tornatore Pietrarizzo Etna Bianco 2021","description":"\u003ch4\u003eThis wine perfectly highlights the extraordinary quality of the cru from which it is made.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePietrarizzo is a vineyard at the foot of Mount Etna, considered by the region's farmers to be one of its most precious crus. From this volcanic soil, a mixture of lava masses, ashes and lapilli accumulated over the centuries, emerge Carricante and Cataratto grapes skilfully blended to produce this Tornatore Pietrarizzo Etna Bianco.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grapes are harvested by hand and vinified in oak barrels at controlled temperatures. The wine then rests on its lees for around 5 months before bottling. The result is an Etna Bianco DOC characterized by vibrant freshness and delicious minerality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA straw-yellow wine with light greenish tints, Tornatore Pietrarizzo Etna Bianco offers slightly mentholated mineral notes typical of high-altitude wines. On the nose, you'll find the exotic fruit aromas, with citrus notes and herbaceous touches, characteristic of Carricante. The palate is pure, fresh and deep, with a persistent finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Tornatore family has been working the vineyards and terroir of Castiglione di Sicilia, on the northern slopes of the Etna volcano, since the 1930s. Today, the family owns 60 hectares, situated between 550 and 700m above sea level, making it one of the largest DOC Etna estates. The winery was built with low environmental impact and features state-of-the-art equipment. Renewable energy sources are used for its operation. The combination of soil, climate and the wisdom of the winemakers has made Etna's northern slopes ideal for the production of top-quality wines that are above all special and unique.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pardela Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47438391902547,"sku":"0530","price":29.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/4847\/4451\/files\/Pietrarizzo_Bianco.png?v=1706255897"},{"product_id":"tornatore-pietrarizzo-etna-rosso-2019","title":"Tornatore Pietrarizzo Etna Rosso 2019","description":"\u003ch4\u003eA wine with rich, ripe fruit, lively palate and a delightful, saline finish.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTornatore Pietrarizzo Etna Rosso (100% Nerello Mascalese - Etna Rosso DOC) comes from a cru, the \"Pietrarizzo\", considered by Sicilians to be one of the highest quality on the volcano. The terroir lies at an altitude of 650 meters and production is very limited.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter being harvested by hand, the grapes are quickly transported to the winery, where they undergo a strict selection process. They are then destemmed, gently crushed and fermented at controlled temperatures. Lastly, the wine is aged in concrete vats and oak barrels for 12 months, followed by at least 3 months' aging in bottles. The result is a perfect combination of the aromatic fullness of the grapes and the complexity of oak ageing. Without a doubt, Tornatore Pietrarizzo Etna Rosso is a red wine that represents everything that is good in Sicily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElegant and smooth, Pietrarizzo Rosso opens with a seductive nose of wild berries, rose and violet. On the palate, notes of mountain strawberry, red cherry, dried herbs and spices mingle with those of wet stone before a long, silky finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Tornatore family has been working the vineyards and terroir of Castiglione di Sicilia, on the northern slopes of the Etna volcano, since the 1930s. Today, the family owns 60 hectares, situated between 550 and 700m above sea level, making it one of the largest DOC Etna estates. The winery was built with low environmental impact and features state-of-the-art equipment. Renewable energy sources are used for its operation. The combination of soil, climate and the wisdom of the winemakers has made Etna's northern slopes ideal for the production of top-quality wines that are above all special and unique.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pardela Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47438391935315,"sku":"0271","price":29.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/4847\/4451\/files\/Pietrarizzo_Rosso.png?v=1706257079"},{"product_id":"cantina-cellaro-luma-grillo-2022","title":"Cantina Cellaro Lumà Grillo 2022","description":"\u003ch4\u003eLegend has it that Grillo was Julius Caesar's favorite grape variety.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrillo is an indigenous grape variety and part of the history of Sicilian viticulture. Grillo is also a component of the world's best-known Italian sweet wine, Marsala. It is characterized by a straw-yellow or golden color, vegetal and fruity aromas of almonds, hazelnuts and citrus fruit. On the palate, Grillo has good balance and fresh acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLumà Grillo is deep yellow with golden highlights. This wine expresses itself through aromas of white peach, grapefruit, yellow lemon, pear, apple, melon, almond, acacia flowers and a few mineral notes. A wine full of freshness, harmonious and delicate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCellaro, a land in Sicily where vines have found their paradise. The estate gives the impression of being far from everything. In Sicily, it's customary to make wines that reflect the terroir, with total respect for nature and the authenticity of the products. Even in its choice of energy sources, Cantina Cellaro is mindful of respect for nature, and has installed wind turbines on its highest hills to produce the energy needed for winemaking.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pardela Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47438392000851,"sku":"0405","price":11.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/4847\/4451\/files\/Luma_Grillo.png?v=1706172978"},{"product_id":"cantina-cellaro-usulea-nero-d-avola-2022","title":"Cantina Cellaro Usulea Nero d'Avola 2022","description":"\u003ch4\u003eThe philosophy of respect for the environment is reflected in this wine's logo, with its two wind turbines.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNero d'Avola is an Italian black grape variety. Its name comes from the town of Avola in southeastern Sicily. It is found almost exclusively in Sicily, where it is the most renowned grape variety. It has good acidity, which enables the best wines to age well, with strong character and a good bouquet of red fruits or violets. Its wines are sometimes likened to those of the Syrah variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCantina Cellaro Nero d'Avola is ruby red with transparent purple tints. The nose has intense aromas of red fruit, balsamic and floral notes. The palate is warm, with good length and a slightly woody finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCellaro, a land in Sicily where vines have found their paradise. The estate gives the impression of being far from everything. In Sicily, it's customary to make wines that reflect the terroir, with total respect for nature and the authenticity of the products. Even in its choice of energy sources, Cantina Cellaro is mindful of respect for nature, and has installed wind turbines on its highest hills to produce the energy needed for winemaking.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pardela Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47438392033619,"sku":"0108","price":12.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/4847\/4451\/files\/Usulea_Nero_d_Avola.png?v=1737445240"},{"product_id":"planeta-cerasuolo-di-vittoria-2021","title":"Planeta Cerasuolo Di Vittoria 2021","description":"\u003ch4\u003eDistinctive and stylish, this very fruity wine unfolds a fresh texture on the palate.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlaneta Cerasuolo di Vittoria is produced from Sicily's countryside around Dorilli, between the sea and the Iblean mountains, the area of Sicilian food par excellence. The name of the only Sicilian DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) derives of \"cerasa\", cherry in Sicilian dialect. Produced from the indigenous varieties Nero d’Avola (60%) and Frappato (40%), it is a wine in the wake of an ancient tradition, but with a youthful manner like no other Sicilian red wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCerasuolo is extraordinarily recognisable to the nose with a cornucopia of red and wild fruits; wood strawberries, mulberry and pomegranate. Next to the fruit, it is distinctive for its pleasant spicey almost oriental notes, of sandalwood, coriander and Sichuan pepper. In the mouth, the wine reflects the olfactory perceptions and happily discovers black pepper mixed with carob and sweet cherries. A lively palate with a full-bodied, rounded finish with notes of mulberry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe heart of the Planeta winery is located in Sambuca di Sicilia, in the south-western corner of the island, and its origins date back to the 16th century. However, it wasn't until the mid-1980s that Diego Planeta embarked on his oenological adventure, succeeding in making Planeta one of the region's most dynamic vineyards and Sicily's leading wine producer. His ambition has always been to create the perfect alliance between grape variety and terroir. Today, Planeta has several estates scattered across the island's main winegrowing areas.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vins du Monde","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47456556450131,"sku":"9002","price":21.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/4847\/4451\/files\/CerasuolodiVittoria_Planeta.png?v=1706115324"},{"product_id":"planeta-chardonnay-2022","title":"Planeta Chardonnay 2022","description":"\u003ch4\u003eIt's with its Chardonnay that Planeta made a name for itself among winelovers and specialists the world over.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProduced by the Planeta winery under the Menfi DOC, Planeta Chardonnay is considered an iconic wine in Sicily, as it was the precursor of the image change of Sicilian wines initiated by Planeta in the 1980s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis complex, fresh white, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, has a light minerality that combines harmoniously with the flavors of yellow peaches, acacia honey and marzipan. Peaty, toasty aromas are also present. The finish is powerful and balanced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe heart of the Planeta winery is located in Sambuca di Sicilia, in the south-western corner of the island, and its origins date back to the 16th century. However, it wasn't until the mid-1980s that Diego Planeta embarked on his oenological adventure, succeeding in making Planeta one of the region's most dynamic vineyards and Sicily's leading wine producer. His ambition has always been to create the perfect alliance between grape variety and terroir. Today, Planeta has several estates scattered across the island's main winegrowing areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ulmo and Maroccoli plots, from which the grapes for this Planeta Chardonnay come, are unique in their aspect and terroir. They are located between 250 and 415 meters above sea level, on stony clay-limestone soils with sections of dark, vegetable soils.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vins du Monde","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47456556515667,"sku":"0160","price":36.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/4847\/4451\/files\/Chardonnay_Planeta.png?v=1706112858"},{"product_id":"tornatore-etna-rosso-2021","title":"Tornatore Etna Rosso 2021","description":"\u003ch4\u003eA wine with a distinctive aromatic bouquet. A burst of Italian flavors on the palate.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEtna Rosso by Tornatore: a Sicilian red wine that perfectly reflects the character, flavor and fragrance of these extraordinary land and region. An intense, aromatic wine, expertly crafted from Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio grapes, both native to the Etna region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wine's color is reminiscent of the glow of lava. It is bright, ruby red with hints of mauve. The volcanic fruit of Etna's northern slopes gives off aromas of cherries and other red berries. This crisp fruit continues on the palate with wild strawberries and black raspberries. Precise fruit, balanced tannins and freshness make this wine a real pleasure to drink.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Tornatore family has been working the vineyards and terroir of Castiglione di Sicilia, on the northern slopes of the Etna volcano, since the 1930s. Today, the family owns 60 hectares, situated between 550 and 700m above sea level, making it one of the largest DOC Etna estates. The winery was built with low environmental impact and features state-of-the-art equipment. Renewable energy sources are used for its operation. The combination of soil, climate and the wisdom of the winemakers has made Etna's northern slopes ideal for the production of top-quality wines that are above all special and unique.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pardela Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50216364769619,"sku":"0257-21","price":23.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/4847\/4451\/files\/Etna_Rosso.png?v=1706180750"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/4847\/4451\/collections\/Sicily4.jpg?v=1705339928","url":"https:\/\/www.altcellars.at\/en\/collections\/sicily.oembed","provider":"ALTCELLARS","version":"1.0","type":"link"}