Grillo Sicilia DOC BIO 2023

Grillo Sicilia DOC BIO 2023 / Villa Carumè / Sicily

White wine from Italy

The Villa Carumè is a brand of the Assuli winery and is located in the tranquil town of Mazara del Vallo between the cities of Marsala and Agrigento in western Sicily. Over time, a beautiful company site has developed here, which emerged from a half-timbered complex from the 18th century. Surrounded by rolling hills, modern functionality is combined with a strong connection to the territory.

The grapes for Villa Carumè's Grillo come from vineyards located in the heart of western Sicily, between the towns of Mazara del Vallo and Trapani. It has an insular-Mediterranean climate with mild winters and breezy summers, which is perfect for viticulture. The vines are planted using the spur-cordon system, with medium to high plant density, on clay soils with a good lime content and a balanced content of organic elements and nitrogen.

The Grillo grape, a native white grape variety, originates from the picturesque island of Sicily, particularly in the region of Trapani in the western part of the island. It is believed to have emerged, probably in the late 19th or early 20th century, as a natural cross between the white Catarratto grape and another indigenous variety. Initially, it was primarily used for the significant dessert wine Marsala, but over time, it has evolved into a significant standalone grape variety. Grillo produces pale yellow wines that are rich in alcohol and extract, with a light tannic content. Nowadays, the indigenous Grillo grape is one of the most cultivated white grape varieties in Sicily.

The grapes are harvested in the first two weeks of September each year, with strict attention being paid to the ripeness of the grapes. After the immediate transport of the bunches of grapes to the winery, the vinification begins with the destemming and the soft pressing of the grapes with a membrane press. After the subsequent clarification of the musts, fermentation begins at a controlled temperature of around 16-17°C in stainless steel vats. The Villa Carumè Grillo DOC matures on the fine lees for four to five months in stainless steel vats. This white wine gets its finishing touch by being stored in its bottle for at least two to three months.

This Grillo Sicilia appears in the glass with a bright golden yellow. Then the nose is infatuated with an intense and elegant aroma of citrus fruits and orange blossoms. One could think to be in a Sicilian landscape. On the palate, this Sicilian white wine is initially dry, mineral, and enveloping, but then develops fantastic fruit. The finish is incredibly long for a white wine.

At an optimal drinking temperature of about 8 to 10 degrees Celsius, this delightful white wine from Sicily unfolds its full aroma. Fresh salads, Caprese salad (tomato-mozzarella), or antipasti are ideal companions to the Grillo Sicilia DOC BIO from Villa Carumè. A simple pasta with seafood in a light tomato sauce or with olive oil and garlic also pairs wonderfully with a glass of Grillo. Thanks to its freshness and liveliness, Grillo also complements various fish dishes such as grilled fish, seafood salad, or steamed seafood perfectly. Dishes like roasted chicken, chicken salad, or grilled chicken are also excellent partners for enjoying Grillo. In general, Grillo, sourced from sustainable agriculture, pairs well with light Mediterranean dishes such as bruschetta, grilled vegetables, zucchini frittata, or spinach and ricotta parcels, thus bringing out the flavours of this Sicilian wine.

General properties

• Vintage: 2023
• Ageing: Dry
• Country: Italy
• Region: Sicily
• Volume: 0.75 litres

Detailed properties

• Producer and bottler: Villa Carumè – Contrada Carcitella - 91026 Mazara del Vallo (TP) - Italia - +39 0923 547267
• Quality Designation: Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)
• Grape varieties: 100% Grillo.
  
• Viticulture: The climate in Mazara del Vallo is ideal for viticulture, offering mild winters and breezy summers. The grapes grow on a medium-structured soil with a pebble skeleton and good mineral content, at an average altitude of 200 to 250 m a.s.l. The wine is grown in the spur cordon with medium to high plant density.
  
• Winemaking: The harvest takes place in the first two weeks of September. Very gentle pressing with a membrane press, followed by static clarification of the musts and temperature-controlled fermentation (16/17°C) in stainless steel vats. The aging begins on the fine lees "sur lies" in stainless steel tanks for four to five months and undergoes a final refinement for at least two to three months in its bottle.
  
• Sensory characterization: Intense and elegant aromas on the nose, reminiscent of citrus fruits and orange blossom. Dry, mineral, enveloping and fruity on the palate. Long Finale.
  
• Colour: Luminous golden yellow.
  
• Alcohol content: 12.5 % Vol.
• Residual sugar: 2.40 g/l
• Acidity: 5.50 g/l
• Closure type: Natural cork.
• How to serve: Excellent with appetizers, dishes based on vegetables, white meats, and fried fish.
  
• Recommended serving temperature: Between 8 and 10°C.
• Allergens: Contains sulfites.
• Organic Control Station: IT-BIO-004
• EAN (bottle): 8057741301103
• Scope of supply: 1 bottle of wine 0.75 litres.

Grape variety

GRILLO

The Grillo grape, an indigenous white grape variety, originates from the picturesque island of Sicily, particularly the Trapani region in the western part of the island. It is believed to have arisen as a natural cross between the white Catarratto grape and another indigenous variety, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century. From the outset, the Grillo vine flourished primarily in the hot and dry conditions of western Sicily. Its remarkable adaptability to this climate quickly made it the preferred choice among the region's winemakers, who valued it for the production of high-quality wines. Originally, Grillo was mainly used for the production of the famous Marsala wine, a fortified wine from Sicily. However, in recent decades, there has been an increased interest in pure Grillo wines, leading winemakers to begin using this grape for outstanding single-varietal wines. The leaves of the Grillo vine are medium-sized and possess a slightly oval shape. Their dark green colour often lends them a glossy texture, and they typically have five lobes with sharply toothed edges. The grapes are large and cone-shaped, hanging in loosely clustered bunches on the vines and presenting themselves in a graceful golden-yellow colour with a compact structure. The berries are medium-sized, round to slightly oval, with thin skins and juicy flesh that changes from greenish to golden-yellow or amber during ripening. The Grillo vine exhibits medium to high vigour and tends to branch well. It thrives in various soil and climatic conditions but is best suited to warm and dry climates. The vines are resistant to drought and heat, making them ideal for cultivation in Mediterranean regions such as Sicily. Grillo grapes have a medium ripening period and are typically harvested from late August to mid-September, depending on local weather conditions and the desired degree of ripeness for winemaking. Grillo wines are often characterized by their refreshing acidity, which gives them liveliness and balance. They are typically enjoyed young and pair well with seafood, fish dishes, seafood pasta, and other light Mediterranean fare. Nowadays, Grillo is experiencing a renaissance and is appreciated for both single-varietal wines and blends with other Sicilian grape varieties.

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