These Famous Sicilians
Drink Wine from Sicily...
Al Pacino
Cindy Lauper
Frank Sinatra
So, do you think our most famous Sicilian-Americans - Al, Cindy and Frank - really drink (or in Frank's case, drank) wine from Sicily? I haven't a clue. I kind of doubt it... and does it really matter? Actually, maybe it does? There must be a reason that big liquor companies pay ridiculous fees in the millions of dollars to rap stars and pop icons to promote their brands.
I'm glad the wine biz doesn't play game. You'll just have to depend on your favorite wine critic, merchant, sommelier or wine geek friend to lead you towards the wine you'll put to your lips... and that's a good thing.
So follow my lead...
Sicily's rich soil and dry climate are second to none for the production of great grapes. The magic is in the method. Newer harvesting techniques, for example, ensure that the grapes retain their flavor in time for fermentation. What Sicilian vintners have achieved in the last six years is nothing short of brilliant.
"What's the skinny on the wine", Frank?
Sicilian Frank Zappa feels that the wines of Sicily have finally asserted themselves on the international stage. The last few years have seen some remarkable vintages, some from wineries barely known outside Sicily just five years ago. More modern techniques in viticulture and winemaking, coupled with the unique blending of local Sicilian grape varieties and international ones, has spawned a new industry. Among whites, it's no longer unusual to encounter an Insolia, Damaschino or Grillo blended with Chardonnay. Sicilian reds used to be infamously strong and overbearing, but the distinctive Nero d'Avola is often preferred in its purest varietal form, with no help from Cabernet Sauvignon. Until recently, Sicily was best known for fortified dessert wines such as Marsala, Passito and Moscato.
Duca di Salaparuta has been in the winemaking business for a mere 189 years. Needless to say these guys are slow learners. It's only taken them about 185 years to really perfect their trade and compete with the rest of the world's great wines.
These wines are about as solid as you're going to find in Sicily. I've done the research for you and tasted through a lot of poorly-made shitty wine to find these for you... come in and taste what I feel are the finest that Sicily has to offer at an affordable price point.
Sicilian Britney Spears and Kim Noon will be in the shop Saturday from 11am to 3pm pouring and chatting about these beauties... the FranksWine Crew will do the same on Sunday from 12noon to 4pm, take a drive to North Union Street! We'll have a nice Italian selection of DiBruno Bros Cheeses, Charcuterie and Crostini spread out as well... join us!
FranksWine SICILIAN 6pack Sampler Case!
You Get 3 Bottles of Each Wine for Only $99.99!!
You Save $49.95... That's 33% Off!!!
Duca di Salaparuta '08 Passo delle Mule
Regularly Priced at $29.99
$19.99 with 6-pack Sampler Case Purchase!
This 100% Nero d'Avola is harvested by hand because of the vertical shoot positioning of the trellised vines. After fermentation the juice spends 10 months in French oak barriques then another 8 months in the cellar after bottling.
The color is a deep, intense, ruby red. On the nose the fruity bouquet of morello cherries and raspberries are is enhanced by a waft of well-balanced scents of spices and vanilla. On the palate this rich red is full-bodied and velveted with excellent structure and flavors that mirror the bouquet. Excellent with red meats and medium-aged cheeses from DiBruno Bros!
Only 672 six-packs produced.
FranksWine SICILIAN 6pack Sampler Case!
You Get 3 Bottles of Each Wine for Only $99.99!!
You Save $49.95... That's 33% Off!!!
Duca di Salaparuta '07 Lávico
Regularly Priced at $24.99
$16.79 with 6-pack Sampler Case Purchase!
This red is produced from 100% Nerello Mascalese grapes grown in North-Eastern Sicily on the slopes of Mount Etna. At full ripening the grapes are picked by hand from the Bush-trained vines. The wine is aged in small oak casks for 12 months, then for another 6 months in the bottle before release.
The color is ruby red with bright garnet highlights. The bouquet is fragrant, intensely spicy and complex with black fruits and sweet vanilla laced throughout. This wine is elegant and lively with good structure and grippy tannins... it reminds me a lot of a Grenache from the Rhone. It'll go great with red meat dishes and even grilled "meaty" fish like tuna or salmon. You can easily cellar it for another 5 years.
510 six-packs produced
FranksWine SICILIAN 6pack Sampler Case!
You Get 3 Bottles of Each Wine for Only $99.99!!
You Save $49.95... That's 33% Off!!!
Duca di Salaparuta '10 Colomba Platino
Regularly Priced at $19.99
$13.19 with 6-pack Sampler Case Purchase!
This aromatic, crisp and dry white wine is made entirely of Insolia grapes grown in the hills of South-western Sicily. It's all tank-fermented with no oak aging whatsoever which lends to the freshness of this beauty.
Its bright straw yellow color has a tinge of greenish highlights. The bouquet is intense, aromatic and delightfully fruity with aromas of freshly cut lime, anise and a hint of peach. I love this wine! It's excellent with shellfish - perfect with oysters! - and other delicate fish as well as mild, creamy cheeses from DiBruno Bros like their French Brie!
508 six-packs produced.
FranksWine SICILIAN 6pack Sampler Case!
You Get 3 Bottles of Each Wine for Only $99.99!!
You Save $49.95... That's 33% Off!!!
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