Arianna Occhipinti's farm now covers around 22 hectares in the districts of Bombolieri, Pettineo and Bastonaca. The range of grape varieties includes Frappato, Nero d'Avola as well as the white Zibbibo and Albanello. The "Fossa di Lupo" winery is located directly on one of the oldest wine roads on the island, the Strada Provinciale 68. Their SP68 wines, which now enjoy international cult status, are named after this federal road. The Passo Nero originates from the idea that life with nature and the vine could accompany it not only until the grape is ripe, but also until it is overripe, drying out.
This red sweet wine is made from 100% Nero d'Avola grapes grown on red sand and sub-Appennine limestone. The average age of the vines for this wine is 15 years with 6500 plants in single stake cultivation per hectare. After the hand harvest in the first two weeks of October, the grapes are dried for a good 15 days to prevent the basic character of the wine from becoming too lush and to preserve the acids. Spontaneous fermentation with our own yeasts, followed by 30 days of maceration on the skins and 16 months of ageing in 750l tonneaux. Bottled unfiltered and unfined and matured for a further six months in the bottle.
Color
Dark garnet red with a black core.
Nose
A symphony in cherry flows from the goblet and makes the hearts of not only cherry lovers beat faster. Heart cherry, Amarena cherry, sweet cherry and everything else that the commercial cherry register has to offer can be found in 2020 Passo Rosso by Arianna Occhipinti. The cherry is joined by the distinctive core note that gives the whole thing its ethereal twist, shortly before the dark dark chocolate stomps into the stone fruit-influenced aroma profile.
Mouth
On the palate, it is surprisingly fresh and squeaky with vertical acidity. The 16% of natural alcohol are quickly forgotten, because this nectar whistles like a dry red, only with a little more fructose and a 125-piece cherry orchestra in the background. The sweetness is harmoniously anchored in the overall structure and is kept in shape by the taut tannin corset. Taut and tailor-made, everything is in the right place in this Unicorn wine.
Food recommendations from Sebastian Bordthäuser
- Rice pudding with hot cherries
- Sauerbraten from the Lotte with bay cherries
- Pulled Pork BBQ
Allergens | Contains sulfur |
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Winemaker | Occhipinti |
Country | Italy |
Region | Sicily |
Type | |
Vintage | |
Variety | |
Content | |
Alcohol content | |
Residual sweetness | ■■■■■ |
Drinking temperature | 12° |
Manufacturer | Azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti, Via dei Mille 55, 97019 Vittoria / Italy, organic certificate: IT BIO 014 |