Grotte Alte Cerasuoli di Vittoria DOCG 2019

Wine Description for Grotta Alte Cerasuoli di Vittoria DOCG 2019 by Occhipinti

Colour & Appearance

Deep garnet red with an almost black core – a colour depth that hints at the concentration of this extraordinary Cerasuolo.

Nose

Cathedral-like in its complexity: cherries, raspberries and mulberries unfold between youthful freshness and ripe concentration. Ethereal notes of orange blossom, cedarwood and vetiver hover above, complemented by stone fruit nuances. A nose of brilliant depth that seduces immediately.

Palate

Silky, elegant and of immense depth. Red vineyard peach, orange zest and transparent ruby fruit meld with discreet Mediterranean maquis. Almost dusty, fine-grained tannins caress the palate without ever becoming dominant. The texture is of remarkable finesse – proof that greatness comes not from power, but from precision.

Finish

Orchestral and of immeasurable length. The multifaceted aromas linger, subtle yet insistent, with an elegance that lingers long in the memory.

Terroir & Origin

The grapes come from around 40-year-old vines on the limestone ridges of Vittoria at approximately 280 metres elevation. The wine combines the aromas of spicy sea air with the cooling downdrafts of the Iblean Mountains – an authentic reflection of its Sicilian origin.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Classic cuvée of 50% Nero d’Avola and 50% Frappato, spontaneously fermented with vineyard-own yeasts over 30 days in neutral concrete on the skins. The wine then matures for four years in 50-hectolitre barrels from Marc Grenier, followed by a further four months in bottle. This patient vinification is palpable in the glass.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Aubergine involtini with mozzarella in tomato sauce, pan-fried red mullet in bouillabaisse broth on stockfish purée or Portuguese kid goat with Massa de Pimentão from the oven harmonise perfectly with this multifaceted red wine.

Special Features

Sicily’s only DOCG wine and according to Arianna Occhipinti perhaps her most ambitious project. A wine that proves that southern warmth and northern finesse need not be opposites – one of Sicily’s truly great red wines.