CARIZZA Insolia Sicilia DOC 2024 (6 bottles)

"Carizza" Insolia Sicilia DOC 2024 / Principi di Butera / Sicily

Container of 6 bottles

White wine from Italy

In the most revered and untouched corner of Sicily lies an oasis of rare beauty, home to the island's great indigenous grape varieties and the preferred terroir of Nero d'Avola. The estate spans around an ancient baglio that once belonged to the Princes of Butera, located in one of the island's most mineral-rich areas, just a stone's throw from the Mediterranean coast, between the Valley of the Temples and Piazza Armerina. The diversity and biological richness of the soils, coupled with a unique microclimate benefiting from sea breezes, make these ancient lands an ideal place for sustainable viticulture and a unique haven of biodiversity. Amidst the hues of citrus fruits and the scents of Mediterranean scrub, elegant wines with refined aromas, great intensity, and freshness are born.

The Sicilian term "carezza" stands for a gentle Insolia that thrives on the hills of Butera. Carizza is a rich and harmonious white wine with a fresh and delicate touch, exuding aromas of broom flowers, mimosa, melon, and exotic fruits.

Insolia, also known as Inzolia or Ansonica, is one of Sicily's oldest white grape varieties, cherished for its adaptability to the warm, dry Mediterranean climate. It was likely brought to the island by the ancient Greeks and established itself in western Sicily. The grape variety experienced a renaissance in the 1980s and 1990s when interest in indigenous wines surged. The vines are robust, resistant to drought and pests, and the grapes have a thick, golden-yellow skin. Insolia yields stable crops and maintains pleasant acidity in higher-altitude or coastal vineyards, giving the wines a lively structure.

From the picturesque region of Riesi in southwestern Sicily, where the Principi di Butera winery cultivates its magnificent vineyards, come the exquisite grapes for the "Carizza" Insolia Sicilia DOC. After careful harvesting at perfect ripeness, the grapes are gently pressed. The resulting must ferment in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 16 to 18 degrees Celsius and rests on the lees for six months. This process imparts a special finesse to the wine. It then undergoes further refinement in the bottle, where it is allowed to age for a few months, developing its full elegance and unique character.

The "Carizza" Insolia Sicilia DOC from Principe di Butera presents itself in a shimmering, golden straw-yellow, clear and bright with subtle greenish reflections. Its rich bouquet unveils captivating notes of broom flowers, juicy melon, and exotic fruits like pineapple and mango. The taste is rich and harmonious, interwoven with delicate hints of sweet almonds. The medium-length finish is rounded off by a fine, subtle bitterness, adding depth to the wine.

At a serving temperature of about 10 to 12 degrees Celsius, the Carizza reveals its fresh and exotic fruit aromas, paired with a delicate acidity and a hint of almonds, making it an ideal wine for light appetizers, fish dishes, and seafood. This Sicilian white wine pairs particularly well with grilled prawns, tender monkfish, or a carpaccio of salmon and avocado. It also fully showcases its potential with fresh summer salads with a citrus dressing or a fine pasta with seafood. Insolia perfectly underscores the light and fresh notes of the dishes and complements the diversity of Mediterranean cuisine. A true delight for the senses!

General properties

• Vintage: 2024
• Ageing: Dry
• Country: Italy
• Region: Sicily
• Volume: 4.5 litres

Detailed properties

• Producer and bottler: Principi di Butera - Contrada Deliella - 93011 Butera (CL) - Italia - +39 0934 347726
• Quality Designation: Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)
• Grape variety: 100% Insolia.
  
• Origin: Sicilia DOC. From the Riesi region in the south-west of the island, where Principi di Butera cultivates its vineyards.
  
• Winemaking and aging: After gentle pressing of the grapes harvested at perfect ripeness, the must ferments in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature (16-18 °C) and rests on the lees for a period of 6 months. The wine is then refined in the bottle for a few months.
  
• Sensory characteristics: Rich bouquet with notes of broom flowers, melon and exotic fruits such as pineapple and mango. Rich and harmonious in taste with delicate notes of sweet almonds. Medium-long finish with subtle bitterness.
  
• Colour: Golden straw yellow, clear and bright, with slight greenish reflections.
• Alcohol content: 12.5 % Vol.
• Closure type: Pressed cork.
• How to serve: Perfect with vegetable-based first courses, fish soups, shellfish and white meat.
  
• Recommended serving temperature: Between 10 and 12°C.
• Allergens: Contains sulfites.
• Warning: Consumption of alcoholic beverages during pregnancy, even in small quantities, can have serious consequences for the child's health.
• EAN (carton): 8002235018159
• Scope of supply: 6 bottles of wine 0.75 litres = 4.5 litres.

Grape variety

INSOLIA

The Insolia grape variety, also known as Inzolia or Ansonica, is an indigenous white wine grape traditionally cultivated in Sicily, especially in the island’s western regions. One of the oldest grape varieties in Sicily, it is highly valued for its adaptability to the warm, dry Mediterranean climate. Insolia has a long and fascinating history that reaches back to antiquity, closely linked to Sicily’s winemaking tradition. Although its precise origins are unclear, it is believed that the ancient Greeks brought Insolia to Sicily when they colonised the island. Other theories suggest that the variety developed indigenously, evolving on the island itself. Sicily was known even in ancient times for its fertile soils and mild climate—ideal conditions for viticulture. During the Middle Ages, under the rule of the Arabs, Normans, and Spanish, viticulture grew in importance in Sicily. It was in this period that Insolia became established, particularly in the west, benefiting from advances in winemaking techniques. Trade with other Mediterranean countries contributed to the growing reputation of Sicilian wines, and Insolia found its place in local wines and in Marsala, a fortified wine that gained popularity through British merchants in the 18th century. In the 20th century, Insolia was primarily used in simple, regional white wines intended for local consumption. However, in the 1980s and 1990s, this changed as demand for characterful, indigenous wines increased. Insolia experienced a renaissance as winemakers began to recognise its potential for producing high-quality wines. Investments in modern cellar techniques and innovative cultivation methods followed, helping winemakers bring out the best in Insolia. Today, Insolia is regarded as one of Sicily’s emblematic white grape varieties and is highly esteemed both in Italy and internationally. It symbolises the revival and enhancement of Sicilian winemaking, which in recent decades has garnered much attention by focusing on native varieties and terroir. The leaves of the Insolia plant are medium-sized and slightly lobed. They are typically a deep green and quite thick, helping the plant to minimise water loss in hot weather. A fine down on the leaf surface further reduces evaporation. Insolia vines are vigorous plants with an upright growth habit, enabling them to absorb sunlight optimally and promote even ripening of the grapes. In cultivation, the vines are often grown using traditional trellis methods or trained as low bush vines (Alberello) to suit Sicily’s climate. The grapes themselves are medium to large, forming compact clusters. The berries are round to oval, with a thick, golden-yellow skin that can take on a slight bronze hue at full ripeness. This thick skin protects the grapes from intense sunlight and offers good resistance against drought and pests. Insolia is an early to mid-ripening variety, reaching maturity in Sicily’s hot summer months, with harvest usually beginning in late August and continuing into September. The variety delivers stable yields, though quality depends greatly on location and the care given to the vines. Given that Insolia naturally has lower acidity, it is often cultivated in higher-altitude or coastal vineyards to enhance acidity and maintain a fresh aromatic profile. The warm, sunny climate of Sicily, combined with frequent sea breezes, plays a vital role in the ripening of Insolia grapes. The island’s arid, often sandy or limestone-rich soils contribute to the mineral notes that characterise many Insolia wines. Thanks to the climate, the grapes can reach full ripeness without losing their freshness. In cooler areas or higher-altitude vineyards, the grapes retain a pleasant acidity and freshness, lending the wines a vibrant structure.

Protection of minors: We deliver this article only to adults of unlimited legal capacity and reserve the right to demand appropriate proof of age. The data required for the order, such as name, address, etc., must be provided in full and truthfully.