SP68 Rosso IGT Sicilia 2023

Wine Description for SP68 Rosso IGT Sicilia 2023 by Occhipinti

Colour & Appearance

Dense, slightly hazy violet-red – unfiltered and natural, as befits an authentic Occhipinti wine.

Nose

Youthful, vibrant, irresistible: The 2023 SP68 exudes intense sour cherries, cool raspberries and blueberries. These are joined by an enchanting floral bouquet of violets, lavender and wild roses. Mediterranean herbs – rosemary, thyme, juniper – lend the wine its Sicilian soul. Beneath lies a fine stony minerality with delicate smoke, which will become even more pronounced with age.

Palate

Here the magic of the Frappato-Nero d’Avola duo reveals itself: refreshing, weightlessly elegant despite its depth. The sour cherry fruit dances with dark berries across the palate, carried by a stimulating, precise acidity and fine, silky tannins. With just 12.5% ABV, the wine feels featherlight – a wine that invites you to keep drinking.

Finish

Medium length, fresh, with lingering red fruit and a hint of Mediterranean herbs. The minerality remains elegantly present.

Terroir & Origin

The vineyard sits at 280 metres altitude near Vittoria, characterised by distinctive terra rossa soils with chalk inclusions. Named after the Autostrada SP68, which winds through the landscape – a typically pragmatic Occhipinti name for a wine that doesn’t deny its origins.

Grape Variety & Vinification

A blend of Frappato and Nero d’Avola, deliberately with more Frappato than the classic Cerasulo di Vittoria. Spontaneous fermentation, 15 days of skin contact, six months ageing in concrete tank, bottled unfiltered – pure craftsmanship without frills.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Serve lightly chilled (14-16°C)! Perfect with grilled dishes, Pasta alla Norma, grilled swordfish, Caponata, Arancini or a simple Pizza Margherita. Ideal for balmy summer evenings on a balcony or terrace.

Special Features

Arianna Occhipinti’s entry-level wine is anything but simple – it embodies the essence of Sicily’s Natural Wine Movement: authentic, approachable, terroir-driven and of striking clarity.