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You’re right! I can’t seem to stay away from Sicily! Let’s face it; there is so much to explore! It is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and the second-largest wine-producing region in Italy (Puglia being first). Still, Sicily takes first place for the number of vineyards in a region. There is a multitude of wineries with over 70 indigenous grape varieties planted, as well as international varieties. I know I’m being repetitive with information, but my enthusiasm for Sicily keeps erupting. So I will tame the beast for now, and if you seek more information, please check out my “many” articles on Sicily from the menu on the right.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Here are three more gems from this magical island to please your palate!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Planeta La Segreta Il Rosso Sicilia DOC 2019
Planeta was founded in 1985, but its family history of agriculture and winemaking in Sicily spans five centuries and seventeen generations. Planeta has five estates spread out from east to west in Sicily. The grapes for this blend are sourced from the Menfi territory, which contains the majority of Planeta’s vineyards on the western side of the island. This wine is 50% Nero d’Avola, 25% Merlot, 20% Syrah, and 5% Cabernet Franc. Maturation takes place in stainless steel tanks. Nose: Red berries, spice, and cherry. Palate: A light and fresh wine with aromas continuing onto the palate with herbal notes and smooth tannins. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $15.99 Pairings: Appetizers, light pasta dishes, grilled salmon, chicken, or a veggie burger. Feudo Principi Di Butera Deliella Nero D’Avola, Sicilia DOC 2014 Principi Di Butera is a 320-hectare estate located in the southeastern part of Sicily, 10 kilometers from the sea, and sits on one of the most mineral-rich areas on the island. The Zonin family has owned the estate since 1997, and it surrounds an ancient feudal domain. This 100% Nero D’Avola is the premier cru produced by this estate, and grapes are sourced from a single vineyard. It is aged for14 months, 90% in barrels and 10% in second-use tonneaux. The wine is then aged for about one year in bottle. Nose: Dark cherry, red fruit, baking spice, and a touch of herbs. Palate: Beautiful and structured with notes of cherry, dark berries, and herbs with a perfect balance of minerality and acidity. A long finish with lingering notes of spice and cherry. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $89.99 Pairings: Appetizers, roasted white meat, stews, glazed duck, seared tuna, or aged cheese. Donnafugata Ben Ryé Passito Di Pantelleria Sicilia DOC 2017 The Rallo family owns the iconic Donnafugata, and their family history of winemaking dates back to 1851. They have several wineries and over 405 hectares of vineyards located throughout Sicily, including historic aging cellars at their Marsala winery. This is a naturally sweet wine made with 100% dried Zibibbo grapes sourced from vineyards on Pantelleria Island off the coast of Sicily. Nose: Rich notes of floral, figs, apricots, raisins, and honey. Palate: Aromas segue onto the palate with a hint of minerality and herbs, creating a gentle sweetness and savory perfection. The bonus is a long and intense finish. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $45 for a 375ml bottle Pairings: Enjoy as an aperitif or serve with cheese and dessert. No doubt I’ll be back soon with more selections to enjoy from Sicily! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Over the last few years, I have compiled an extensive list of dessert wines, after dinner sips and “cozy up to the fire” drinks.  With 2020 taking its final bow, I thought it might be fun to recap a few pours I’ve reviewed in addition to introducing the latest entry on my list, Boulard Calvados VSOP.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Simply put, Calvados is a brandy made from distilled fermented apple (or sometimes pear) cider. It is then aged in oak casks for a determined period. Production methods vary and strict rules may apply depending on the appellation and classification. Calvados is exclusively made in Normandy, France where some of Europe’s best apple and pear orchards abound. There are three main production zones, each with its own unique characteristics: Calvados Domfrontais, Calvados and Calvados Pays d’Auge.  Pierre-August Boulard founded Maison Boulard in the late1820s and it is still owned by a fifth-generation descendant, Vincent Boulard. They have 150 acres of orchards and 35,000 apple trees in the Pays d’Auge, which is designated as the source for the finest apples in Normandy. Over 120 apple varieties from the 800 varieties grown in the Boulard orchards are selected for the production of Calvados Boulard. AOC Calvados Pays d’Auge maintains the highest quality source for fruit and production methods. Double-distillation is allowed in each region, but only Pays d’Auge is required to double-distill in a Charentais pot still (constructed from copper), the same type of still used for Cognac. Cider must be fermented a minimum of six weeks, and once distilled, aged a minimum of two years in oak casks. Boulard Calvados Pays d’Auge VSOP The cider for Boulard Calvados is double distilled in copper pot stills and then aged in seasoned oak casks for at least four years. Their VSOP is the culmination of blending different Calvados Pays d’Auge from four to ten years old. Once blended, this VSOP stays in casks for enough time to obtain a characteristic smoothness.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The color is golden amber with heady aromas of tart apples, vanilla, spiced oak and slight astringency. Notes of cider, baked apples, vanilla, a touch of baking spice, nuts, and a hint of ginger lingers on the finish. This brandy is smooth and has a rich quality to it. Drink neat, over ice, or mix in a cocktail. Alcohol: 40%, 80 proof SRP: 200ml $14.99/750ml $45.99 Capezzana Vin Santo Riserva DOC 2011  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This is a blend of 90% Trebbiano and 10% San Colombano. The grapes are dried through natural methods on cane matting from harvest through to the following February and then vinified in traditional small chestnut, maple and cherry casks. The wine is aged for five years and in bottle for a minimum of 3 months. Heady aromas of perfume, almonds and candied fruit spill onto the palate with added notes of fig, spice and orange zest. This is a sweet and decadent wine that pairs well with desserts and aged cheeses. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $55 Donnafugata Ben Ryé 2015 Passito de Pantelleria DOC  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This is a naturally sweet wine made with 100% Zibibbo grapes sourced from vineyards on Pantelleria Island off the coast of Sicily. The color is intense amber with seductive aromas of apricots, figs, raisins, floral and honey. All the aromas segue onto the palate offering a beautifully balanced wine with mineral notes and a hint of herbs. The combination of gentle sweetness and savory is perfection! This wine drinks beautifully as an aperitif or pair with cheese and dessert! Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $40 for a 375ml bottle Camus Borderies X0  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This is a single-estate Extra Old Cognac, aged in oak a minimum of 6.5 years. It is handcrafted from grape to bottle and produced in limited quantities. The grapes are harvested from the most prized vines in the Domaines Camus estate. This Cognac was first introduced in 2000. It is intensely aromatic with notes of violets, sherry and almonds that segue onto the palate. Hints of caramel, dried fruit and vanilla linger on the finish. The XO is rich, silky and truly decadent! When paired with dark chocolate, it is a sexy dance in the mouth! Cellar Master: Patrick Léger Alcohol: 40% SRP: $170 González Byass Nectar Dulce Pedro Ximénez DO Jerez Xérés  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Pedro Ximénez (PX) is an intensely sweet wine and is the sweetest of the sherry styles. The grapes are dried in the sun allowing the juices to concentrate before pressing. This is a rich wine that oozes raisins, nuts and fig. This sherry is 100% Pedro Ximénez. The wine is fortified to 15% alcohol and then enters the Nectar solera. It is followed by an average of eight years of aging in American oak casks. This dark brown colored sherry emanates intoxicating aromas of raisins, prune, fig and honey. The palate is rich and unctuous, with raisins, baking spice, and toasted notes of caramel, toffee and espresso. A long finish is accompanied by a hint of nuts. Enjoy it chilled as a dessert wine on its own or poured over ice cream or berries. Heavenly! Alcohol: 15% SRP: $25 Warre’s Otima 10  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This is a ten-year-old tawny Port. It is a blend of traditional Portuguese grape varieties from the Douro Valley. The wine is matured for ten years in seasoned oak casks. It is between a ruby and amber color with delicate aromas of caramel, dried fruit and wood. The palate offers a nice balance of fruit and almonds with toffee, honey, toast and spice notes. This Port is smooth, beautifully balanced and full-bodied. Alcohol: 20% SRP: $26 Bottega SpA Gianduia Chocolate Cream Liqueur  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Gianduia chocolate was created in Piedmont, Italy, in 1806 and is noted for its unique bouquet of cocoa and nuts. This liqueur is made with Bottega’s premium Alexander grappa from the Veneto region and Gianduia Chocolate. Grappa is mixed with milk cream (sourced from Alpine cows that only eat grass) that is homogenized and filtered to remove the fats. It is then mixed with sugar, chocolate and hazelnut paste. Delicious aromas of cocoa and nuts segue onto the palate for a creamy and most inviting experience. Rich hazelnut flavors and cocoa contribute to this decadent liqueur that is best served cold. Drink it neat or poured over ice. It is also divine served over ice cream, with fruit, in a cocktail, or in your coffee. Alcohol: 17% SRP: $24.99 Disaronno Velvet Cream Liqueur  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Disaronno is a liqueur made in Italy. It has a very distinct aroma and delicious flavors of almonds called Armelline (the seeds of apricot stone), sweet fruit, Madagascar vanilla and pure caramelized sugar. Disaronno Velvet has all the familiar flavors of the classic version, but it is also creamy and smooth with a touch of chocolate and vanilla.
Alcohol: 17% SRP: $29.99 One doesn’t need a holiday or special occasion to enjoy these delicious treats, nor does one have to wait to share them. With countless people “sheltering in place” again, alone time seems to be a given for many. So, indulge in a glass of Chateau D’Yquem (my all-time favorite) or a snifter of brandy. Add a touch of sweetness to the end of your day or in-between! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com |
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