{"title":"SICILY","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"sicilia-rosso-tartaraci","title":"Sicilia Rosso ‘Tartaraci’","description":"\u003cp\u003eHISTORY  \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eIn 1799, England’s Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson had just vanquished the French in the Mediterranean and was given by the Neapolitan king the title, Duke of Bronte—plus a plot of land on Mount Etna’s northwest face, covered in grape vines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese few acres, more than 3,000 feet above the azure Mediterranean with midnight-black volcanic soils, today still retain the same mix of grapes they did centuries ago: Nerello Mascalese, Etna’s native red grape, and Grenache—a legacy, perhaps, of the Spanish House of Bourbon that ruled the region during the 18th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIndeed,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAzienda Agricola Buscemi\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis the single winery in Sicily that honors the ancient ties of the Mediterranean winemaking diaspora. These two red grapes thrive amid Etna’s extreme climactic conditions—for wines of impeccable balance and freshness that are like few other wines from Sicily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinemaker Mirella Buscemi, originally from Syracuse, is a trained chemist; it was her grandparents who owned vineyards and who inspired in her a love of viticulture and wine. Fate showed its hand once she met and married winemaker Alberto Graci (of Azienda Agricola Graci in Passopisciaro), with a wedding gift of ‘Tartaraci,’ the plot of land once owned by naval legends, now back in native hands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith bush-trained vines more than 100 years old, ‘Tartaraci’ is a unique vineyard, covered in snow during winter and Mediterranean-hot in summer. Yet great wine is always made at the extremes—and it is here, at altitude, where Mirella crafts world-class red and white wines redolent of wild herbs and silky fruit, in micro-quantities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVINEYARDS \u0026amp; WINEMAKING  \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e‘Tartaraci’ is a contiguous, single-vineyard plot totaling just under four acres on the northwest side of Mount Etna, at 3,215 feet above sea level. An ancient vineyard under cultivation for hundreds of years, ‘Tartaraci’ is prized for its very old vines (on average, 90 years) trained as bush vines (albarello) and planted on the pure volcanic soils of Etna.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFacing north, ‘Tartaraci’ allows for a slow and long maturation of fruit, with large diurnal shifts given the plot’s altitude. Harvest often takes place in late October and stretches into early November.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVines are cared for sustainably, and harvest is by hand. Both red and white grapes are destemmed. Red grapes are fermented and aged in cement tank; white grapes in large, older oak tonneaux. Production levels each vintage are very low, with less than 2,000 bottles of white wine and 4,000 bottles of red wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSo much history, so much surprise: the ‘Tartaraci’ vineyard is like no other plot on Etna, at nearly 3,000 feet in altitude with a northern exposure, yet still Mediterranean-influenced and wild in its beauty and vinous potential. Here Nerello Mascalese and Grenache are blended for a delicate yet potent red, full of silk and substance, endlessly refined and oh-so fresh. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAromas of fresh raspberries and red cherries, incense and crushed stones, light peppery notes.  Refined and smooth, finegrained tannins; impeccable balance and freshness.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"AZIENDA AGRICOLA BUSCEMI","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51517372694759,"sku":null,"price":48.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0764\/7218\/9159\/files\/KateWine-143.jpg?v=1764698922"},{"product_id":"malvasia-secca-isola-di-salina","title":"Malvasia Secca Isola di Salina","description":"\u003cp\u003eHISTORY  \u003cspan\u003eThe history of artisanal winemaking in the Aeolian Islands off the coast of Sicily essentially begins with five Spanish families, one of which is \u003c\/span\u003eCaravaglio\u003cspan\u003e. These noble pioneers were invited to travel to these wild, volcanic islands in the early 1500s to develop agriculture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThus for more than 500 years, the Caravaglios have cultivated wine grapes on Salina and Lipari, establishing early on the traditions and practices that would be followed for generations. Winemaker Antonino Caravaglio’s ancestors were certainly among the first to partner with Venetian traders bearing rootstock from Greece, planting the original Malvasia delle Lipari and Corinto Nero vines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFew vine-growing regions in the world can claim such an unbroken chain of organic cultivation. Grapes on these wind-swept hills have always been cared for naturally, cleansed by the sea-salty air of the Mediterranean and protected by the island’s mineral soils, which also kept the phylloxera blight at bay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCaravaglio’s peerless Corinto Nero wine hails from these pre-phylloxera vines, many of which are more than 150 years old. This red grape has called the volcanic caldera of Lipari home for centuries and is a truly ancient variety, with its five-point leaves and naturally seedless fruit. Today Caravaglio is the sole artisan who has preserved Lipari’s traditions by bottling a pure Corinto Nero wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith each sunrise over the azure of the placid Mediterranean, you can find Antonino, his wife Elisa and their daughter Alda collecting organic capers that grow amid wild herbs on Salina’s steep cliffs or tending their organic vineyards by hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach bottle of their wine is a breathtaking reflection of its origin: the light smoke in Corinto Nero’s aroma reflects its volcanic terroir while Malvasia’s refreshing saline tang reminds of sea spray.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVINEYARDS \u0026amp; WINEMAKING  \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eAntonino Caravaglio was among the first artisans in Sicily to become organically certified in the 1990s; historically, his family’s vines and caper plants for centuries have been farmed according to organic principles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrapes are harvested by hand and fermented on indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks. White wines are aged in tank on fine lees for two to three months; red wines are aged on fine lees in a combination of 500L French oak casks and tank for one month. Very little sulfur is added during the winemaking process, to ensure the grapes’ natural flavors are allowed to express themselves fully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMalvasia is a white grape native to Sicilia and grown on volcanic soils in Malfa district of Salina, the highest quality growing area on the volcanic island. Lemon and sea salt, bright acidity; a flavorful reflection of this sea-inspired terroir.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAromas of Meyer lemons and sea salt, bright acidity; a flavorful reflection of sea-inspired terroir.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"AZIENDA AGRICOLA CARAVAGLIO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51517392945383,"sku":null,"price":32.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0764\/7218\/9159\/files\/KateWine-142.jpg?v=1764698876"},{"product_id":"malvasia-secca-di-tricoli-infatata","title":"Malvasia Secca di Tricoli ‘Infatata’","description":"\u003cp\u003eHISTORY  \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cspan\u003eThe history of artisanal winemaking in the Aeolian Islands off the coast of Sicily essentially begins with five Spanish families, one of which is \u003c\/span\u003eCaravaglio\u003cspan\u003e. These noble pioneers were invited to travel to these wild, volcanic islands in the early 1500s to develop agriculture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThus for more than 500 years, the Caravaglios have cultivated wine grapes on Salina and Lipari, establishing early on the traditions and practices that would be followed for generations. Winemaker Antonino Caravaglio’s ancestors were certainly among the first to partner with Venetian traders bearing rootstock from Greece, planting the original Malvasia delle Lipari and Corinto Nero vines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFew vine-growing regions in the world can claim such an unbroken chain of organic cultivation. Grapes on these wind-swept hills have always been cared for naturally, cleansed by the sea-salty air of the Mediterranean and protected by the island’s mineral soils, which also kept the phylloxera blight at bay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCaravaglio’s peerless Corinto Nero wine hails from these pre-phylloxera vines, many of which are more than 150 years old. This red grape has called the volcanic caldera of Lipari home for centuries and is a truly ancient variety, with its five-point leaves and naturally seedless fruit. Today Caravaglio is the sole artisan who has preserved Lipari’s traditions by bottling a pure Corinto Nero wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith each sunrise over the azure of the placid Mediterranean, you can find Antonino, his wife Elisa and their daughter Alda collecting organic capers that grow amid wild herbs on Salina’s steep cliffs or tending their organic vineyards by hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach bottle of their wine is a breathtaking reflection of its origin: the light smoke in Corinto Nero’s aroma reflects its volcanic terroir while Malvasia’s refreshing saline tang reminds of sea spray.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVINEYARDS \u0026amp; WINEMAKING  \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eAntonino Caravaglio was among the first artisans in Sicily to become organically certified in the 1990s; historically, his family’s vines and caper plants for centuries have been farmed according to organic principles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrapes are harvested by hand and fermented on indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks. White wines are aged in tank on fine lees for two to three months; red wines are aged on fine lees in a combination of 500L French oak casks and tank for one month. Very little sulfur is added during the winemaking process, to ensure the grapes’ natural flavors are allowed to express themselves fully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn organic, single-vineyard selection. ‘Tricoli’ is shaped like a triangle and stretches up the steep slope of an ancient volcano in the Malfa district of Salina (the highest quality vine-growing area).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAromas of cardamom-spiced pears, white peach, preserved lemon; plush, complex yet balanced.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"AZIENDA AGRICOLA CARAVAGLIO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51517397205223,"sku":null,"price":38.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0764\/7218\/9159\/files\/KateWine-144.jpg?v=1764698820"},{"product_id":"eruzione-1614-nerello-mascalese-sicilia-doc","title":"Eruzione 1614 Nerello Mascalese, Sicilia DOC","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eHISTORY  The history of the volcano is marked by the eruptions which have shaped it. That of 1614 is legendary; it lasted for 10 years, the longest ever recorded. The vines which produce this wine grow on this actual lava flow. Nerello Mascalese grown on these black soils at a height, for an intensely aromatic red wine with an elegant structure. \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eVINEYARDS \u0026amp; WINEMAKING  The ground is perfectly placed and with excellent exposure, black with lava sands and due to this extraordinarily rich in minerals with abundant structure of large fragments, surrounded by woods and more recent lava flows. \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe grapes were picked into crates of about 16\/17 kg, and immediately chilled to 10 °C, then selected by hand. After destemming they ferment arriving up to 25-26 °C in concrete tanks and stainless steel vats, to remain on the skins from 16 to 40 days, being worked only with manual punch downs. The concrete tanks are being topped as soon as the alcoholic fermentation is complete, for a longer and fine extraction. They are then racked and separated using a vertical press, and continued with the malolactic fermentation in stainless steel.  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eTASTING NOTES  This wine draws its tasting strength and extraordinary aromas of incense of medicinal herbs, hibiscus and wild fennel from the lava sands. The wine is luminous and lyrical, describing without filters the character and refinement of the great mountain red wines, though at latitudes near Africa. Tannins of compact density are drawn with elegance.  The sweetness and generosity of wild fruit and currants mingles  with aromas of incense and beeswax, a faint almost salty flavour invites a further sip. \u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"PLANETA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51677339910375,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0764\/7218\/9159\/files\/KateWine-45.jpg?v=1767666193"}],"url":"https:\/\/littleinternationalwineshop.com\/collections\/sicily.oembed","provider":"Little International Wine Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}