Grappoli del Grillo Sicilia Grillo DOC 2020

Grappoli del Grillo is an icon of dry Sicilian wine. Although the Grillo has probably been cultivated in Sicily since the Phoenicians, it has apparently only ever been used to produce the sweet fortified Marsala wine. Until Marco de Bartoli first pressed a dry still wine from it in 1990.

Grown in the Contrada Samperi, the grapes are harvested by hand and, after rigorous selection, pressed and fermented spontaneously in steel. The clear must is then transferred to French tonneaux and used barriques to preserve the fruit and freshness of the wine. After 12 months on the fine lees with battonage, it is bottled after minimal addition of sulphur. Grappoli del Grillo has an amazing ageing potential, so it is always worth cellaring a few bottles.

Bright straw yellow.

The 2020 Grappoli del Grillo by Marco de Bartoli exudes a fragrance reminiscent of an early summer day in Sicily. Delicate citrus notes of lemon oil, some bergamot and green mandarins are framed by a bouquet of broom. Herbaceous underpinned by Mediterranean scrub, the nose is further outlined by sublime yeast notes and the salty impression of a mild sea breeze. The wine is happy about the large glasses as well as about timely aeration.

On the palate, the wine really turns on and unfolds its aromas into a unique whole. Although it comes from one of the hottest regions of Italy, it belongs to the category of "refreshing white wine". With its citrusy, agile acidity, it provides the necessary verticality and is delicately coated with fluffy yeast notes. Aromatically, it is characterised by striking phenolic notes that follow on from the citrus notes of the nose and alternate between pink grapefruit and cedar lemons. The aromatic round dance is connected by present saline notes and sublime bass, which pulsates gently on the palate. A wine with distinctive grandeur and a feather-light approach that begs for creative Sicilian cuisine.