Alicante

Widely planted across the Mediterranean, the Alicante grape variety brings a fascinating depth, dark spice, and juicy structure to the wines of the South. Originally valued primarily for its intense colour, it develops a highly distinctive, characterful charm on poor, volcanic soils. Here, it shows itself to be vibrant, supported by fine tannins and a ripe, dark berry fruit that pairs outstandingly with Mediterranean stews.

How wonderfully this variety integrates into traditional blends is beautifully demonstrated in Sicily. In the high-altitude vineyard of I Vigneri di Salvo Foti, Alicante combines with the white varieties Grecanico and Minnella in the subtle Vinudilice Rosato to create a vibrant rosé. Meanwhile, on the Aeolian Islands, Tenuta di Castellaro uses the grape for their Ypsilon, where it joins forces with Nero d’Avola and Corinto Nero (Korinthianki) to bring the mineral soul of the volcanic archipelago into the glass.