Valle dell’Acate Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, 2019
$26.00
Valle dell’Acate Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, 2019
$26.00
description
Valle dell’Acate’s wines first caught my attention at a grand portfolio tasting down in the City in early May. Winemaker Gaetana Jacono, who specializes in handmade wines from an arcane corner of Sicily, was a bit of an outsider amongst a sea of big name producers from some of Italy’s most celebrated regions: Barolo, Montalcino, Chianti, and Taurasi. I was immediately intrigued. Gaetana’s bright and outgoing personality alongside her phenomenal wines stood out to me as an instant favorite. Jacono in her own right is a bit of a winemaking legend. She took over Valle dell’Acate in 2000, and has been a staunch advocate of the use of indigenous varietals in Sicily’s southeast corner, and for very good reason. Frappato is bright and soft, with round ripe red fruit. Nero d’Avola, on the other hand, is darker, more tannic, earthy, rustic, and fuller bodied. When you blend the two you get ‘Cerasuolo di Vittoria’ (the only recognized DOCG in Sicily!), a magical combination. Frappato and Nero d’Avola, with their distinct yet contrasting qualities play off each other beautifully. Jacono is a firm believer in the inherent complexity of Cerasuolo di Vittoria, and so am I. Valle dell’Acate’s Cerasuolo exudes well-balanced acidity and tannin, with notes of red and black cherry, pomegranate, and fresh herbs. It’s a great wine for the cooling weather, and I now offer it at an equally delicious price. -JWK