TN: Sicily and Alsace

Interesting notes on the Calabretta Etna Rosso. I find the wines of Sicily to be somewhat paradoxical. I've found some good examples but generally I find poor either over-ripe wanna-be California knock-offs or very rustic, high acid plonk. I've never visited Sicily so I don't know if this is just what the importers offer us or if it is indicitive of Sicilian wines in general.

That was generally my impression- overripe glossy Nero d'Avolas, or somewhat poorly made wines. But I think Sicily is one of the most improved areas in last few year. I'm particularly fond of Etna Rosso, the wines are grown up high on Mt Etna, so not as obviously hot climate. There's a range of styles- the basic Terre Nere and especially the Biondi come across as almost Burgundian, the upper level Terre Nere wines are more slick/modern but very good, and some more rustic wines like this. But in general interesting appellation. I also like Montoni's Nero d'Avola, both regular and Vru-something. Arianna Occhipinti makes very interesting wines in the natural/ hipster mode. Frank Cornelissen also gets lots of acclaim (and some raspberries) but I've not tried.

Actually, if anyone is interested in Sicily, this week's Tuesday sale at Astor Wines is Sicily. 15% off.

Raspberries? Raspberry vinegar, yes.

This guy's wines are truly undrinkable.

I've probably had more wine from Andrea Franchetti than anyone else in Sicily. His wines tend to be a bit glossy but "Franchetti" is the flagship wine and I find it to be a bit over the top.. I really like the Passopisciaro and tend to think of it as the best example of good Etna wines.

Arianna Occhipinti and her uncle at COS make some very interesting wines from unusual grapes like Frappato. Of the Occhipinti wines, I've most enjoyed the SP64 blend.

Yes, Cornelissen's wines are about as controversial as any I can think of. There seems to be a lot of sentiment (as opposed to sediment) that a lot of them that reach the US have been damaged in some way. I dunno: too pricey for an experiment in my book.

Mark Lipton

All of this talk of Sicily made me recall that I had purchased a mixed case of Sicilian wine years ago and I still have a few bottles remaining so I just checked and I have a couple of bottles of 1985 Duca Enrico Rosso Sicilia Nero D'Avola. I'll open a bottle with dinner tonight and report. Not expecting much.

Mark, they are damaged at birth. I know there are people ready to line up for these wines, which proves how effective marketing can be. The basic problem is that they don't know how to make wine.

I too have been disappointed with Cormelissen wines and have yet to find one that appeals to my tastes. I'm still trying to find Sicilian wines I really like other than the ones I really can't afford like Vega.

Vega Sicilia, aaaah now I get it, LOL

Occhipinti is pretty good, COS also.