Corinto IGT 2019

Wine Description for Corinto IGT 2019 by Tenuta di Castellaro

Colour & Appearance

Luminous cherry red with a pale, transparent rim – a first hint of the elegant, almost Burgundian soul of this Sicilian wine.

Nose

The nose astonishes: rather than volcanic power, it greets you with cool, almost Bordeaux-like nobility. Plum, blackberry and cassis form the dark fruit foundation, underpinned by black pepper, a whisper of leather and mineral graphite. Delicate roasted notes of coffee and dark chocolate join in – multifaceted, graceful, seemingly inexhaustible.

Palate

On the palate, the true strength of this wine reveals itself: grip and structure dominate the play, yet a silky, almost velvety mouthfeel caresses the senses. The pressure is considerable, the elegance never forced – one’s thoughts turn involuntarily to a great Pinot Noir, yet you immediately sense the southern Sicilian climate. Spices such as cinnamon, clove and star anise lend the wine a dark, oriental spiciness.

Finish

Long, complex and invigorating. Coffee cream, dark chocolate and cocoa butter drive the finale onwards again and again. A wine that makes you thirsty – in the very best sense.

Terroir & Origin

The grapes grow at 350 metres elevation on volcanic and sandy soil on the Lipari island – a terroir that delivers minerality, freshness and depth in one.

Grape Variety & Vinification

The rare Greek-origin variety Korinthiaki – known in Italy as Corinto – is destemmed and fermented for ten days in French barriques with multiple punch-downs of the cap. Malolactic fermentation takes place in 500-litre casks. After one year of maturation, the wine is bottled unfiltered and unrefined – artisanal integrity at the highest level.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Ideal with braised lamb shoulder with oriental jus and tabbouleh, yet equally convincing with grilled veal cutlet with café-de-Paris butter or the surprisingly harmonious pairing with roasted onions with anchovies, capers and green olives.

Special Features

An extraordinary rarity in the wine world: the Korinthiaki grape variety is scarcely found outside Greece. That it matures on Sicilian volcanic soil into a wine of such finesse and complexity is simply remarkable – and makes the Corinto 2019 one of the most exciting discoveries from southern Italy.