If you ask most wine lovers to name the hottest region in Sicily, they will immediately point to the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna. But the true insiders are aware that there’s another thrilling region of Sicily that is vying for their attention: Vittoria.
Etna produces brooding, smoky wines from black volcanic soil. Vittoria, located in the southeast of the island, is entirely different. Here, ancient limestone bedrock is covered by bright red, iron-rich sand. This highly specific terroir yields wines that are shockingly bright, floral, and lifted. It is the spiritual home of the Frappato grape, and thanks to trailblazing natural winemakers like COS and Arianna Occhipinti, the world is finally waking up to the incredibly high quality that Vittoria can offer.
Occhipinti may be the best known, but there are other very talented under-the-radar producers who are worthy of your attention. Guglielmo Manenti and his wife Marita operate a tiny, strictly organic four-hectare estate in the heart of Vittoria. They work completely naturally, focusing on traditional bush vines and avoiding any heavy extraction or new oak. Their production is microscopic, and the wines are some of the most transparent, high-toned expressions of Sicily you will ever taste.
The 2024 Manenti Vittoria Frappato is an absolute liquid joy. This is the grape that put the region on the map—wildly aromatic, bursting with fresh wild strawberries, crushed rose petals, and a zippy, thirst-quenching acidity. It is vibrant, energetic, and practically begs to be served with a slight chill.
Stepping up in structure, the 2023 Manenti Cerasuolo di Vittoria blends that lifted Frappato with Sicily’s darker, more savory Nero d'Avola. The Nero gives the wine deeper, fleshier dark cherry fruit and a fine, dusty structure, while the Frappato ensures it never loses that signature Vittoria grace and elegance.
These wines are for Cru Beaujolais lovers in search of Sicilian equivalents, or for anyone who has already discovered Occhipinti and wants to delve further into what makes this corner of Sicily so special:
Manenti Vittoria Frappato 2024 - $39.99
Manenti Cerasuolo di Vittoria 2023 - $39.99
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