Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Cortese — Vanedda Bianco 2021
Sicilia IGP, Sicily, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A beautifully crafted blend of Catarratto and Grillo, two of Sicily’s flagship white grapes. Fermented with brief skin contact and matured on its lees in large oak casks, this wine combines Mediterranean freshness with remarkable texture, delivering far more complexity than its humble price suggests.

Aromas & Flavors
Expressive aromas of lemon peel, ripe citrus, tropical fruit, white flowers, sweet spice, and crushed stone. The palate is vibrant and mineral-driven, with subtle saline notes and an underlying volcanic character that adds depth without overwhelming the fruit.

Mouthfeel
Energetic, tension-filled, and beautifully textured. Bright acidity lifts the wine from start to finish, while the brief skin contact and lees aging contribute a creamy yet focused mouthfeel. Long, refreshing, and remarkably persistent.

Food Pairings
Outstanding with grilled seafood, octopus, shrimp, tuna crudo, Mediterranean vegetables, citrus-herb chicken, Sicilian seafood pasta, or aged Pecorino.

Verdict
A wine that dramatically over-delivers. This is a superb example of why Sicilian whites deserve far more attention. Full of energy, precision, and character, it offers exceptional value while showcasing the unique identity that volcanic soils and the Mediterranean climate can bring to indigenous Sicilian varieties.

Did You Know?
Unlike many modern whites, Vanedda undergoes a short period of skin contact before fermentation is completed in large oak casks. The wine then rests on its lees for several months, building texture and complexity while preserving freshness, a traditional approach reinterpreted through modern organic winemaking.

🍷 Personal Pick
This bottle reminded me why I continue to champion Sicilian white wines. They remain among the most exciting and underrated whites available in the U.S. market. The combination of volcanic influence, Mediterranean freshness, and indigenous varieties creates wines with incredible tension, energy, and personality. Vanedda is one of those bottles that quietly exceeds every expectation and leaves you wondering why more people aren’t talking about Sicilian whites. — 7 days ago

Michael Centanni

9.4

Viva la Sicilia!!! — 3 years ago

with Clare

Brent Clayton

9.2

Wow! Rose petals, black raspberries, deep concentrated fruit on the palate. Long silky finish. Amazing stuff! — 4 years ago

David D

9.0

Rina Russa Terre Siciliane, organic. Pretty light, nice chilled. Wild strawberry, minerals, some brambles, nice acidity. From Main Street Wine and Gourmet, Orleans. 09/05/21 — 5 years ago

Anil Saxena

8.9

Love this Italian red blend. I would 100% get it again. Awesome with spicy food. — 6 years ago

Livio Pastorino

9.6

Me encanta acompañar este vino con mi sándwich preferido, jamón del país, queso gouda, pan ciabatta integral untado con mostaza Dijon a discreción, recordé que este era mi almuerzo cuando viajaba a Ica, solo paraba en Chincha a tomarme un café en el Batan. El vino acompaño muy bien, con aromas a cerezas maduras y en boca frutos rojos, especias, equilibrado, redondo, un abrazo #pisco #winelovers#wine #vino — 8 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Nero Oro Grillo Appassimento 2023 – Sicilia DOC, Sicily, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
Made from 100% Grillo, this Sicilian white wine undergoes a light appassimento process, where a portion of the grapes is gently dried before fermentation to concentrate flavor and texture. The result is an expressive, full-flavored white that showcases Grillo in a richer and more contemplative style while retaining its Mediterranean freshness.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe peach, apricot, yellow plum, baked pear, citrus peel, Mediterranean herbs, and hints of acacia honey with delicate mineral nuances.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with a rounded, silky texture balanced by lively freshness. The subtle concentration from the appassimento adds depth without sacrificing vibrancy, encouraging slow, thoughtful sipping.

Food Pairings
Swordfish, roasted chicken, seafood risotto, grilled prawns, aged Pecorino, creamy pasta, or roasted vegetables.

Verdict
A distinctive take on Grillo that combines richness, texture, and freshness with impressive harmony. Flavorful without feeling heavy, it offers an engaging alternative to more conventional Italian whites.

Did You Know?
While appassimento is most famous for producing powerful red wines like Amarone, the technique can also be applied to white grapes. With Grillo grapes, gentle drying concentrates fruit and texture, creating greater complexity while preserving the grape’s naturally vibrant acidity.

🍷 Personal Pick
This bottle completely changed my perception of white wines made in the appassimento style. The concentration, layered stone-fruit character, and textured palate make it a wine that invites you to slow down, think about each sip, and simply enjoy the experience. It’s an intentional wine, and one that’s genuinely hard to forget. — 22 days ago

John W

9.2

Rare 100% Nerelo Cappucio wine (from the southwest slope of Etna - 1 year in stainless steel and 9 months in the bottle).
2014- terre siciliani. Paired with eggplant parmigiana, baked with cherry tomato confit and pesto, and topped with grated Modica chocolate. And roasted tomato with ricotta Samara and
Massive nose, herbaceous, bell pepper, sulfur, on the palate subtle flavors of the nose, but very light with age. Very delicate. — a year ago

Richard Curtis

9.0

Proper quaffable tackle! Lovely easy drink on Sky Princess — 4 years ago

Hristo Velev

9.6

Great, light and floral — 5 years ago

Angel Salazar

9.0

Clear yellow with a light green touch. Smooth & sweet aroma. Well balanced & short end. — 6 years ago

Tero Melasuo

9.0

2015 vintage, samettisen pehmeä suun myötäinen. — 8 years ago

Livio Pastorino

9.6

Delicioso, fresco el Nero d’Avola Hieron, cepa de la Sicilia, nos ofrece en vista un rojo rubí, con reflejos violáceos, aromas a frutos rojos maduros, especies, bien equilibrado, lo acompañamos con unos sándwiches de chorizos y salchichas blancas, embadurnados con mostaza Dijon a discreción, ¡excelente! saludos
#10añosdeamoralPisco @ASPERCAT1pisco #winelovers #wine #vino #pasionporlacata
@elpiscoesdlperu #wines #vinos
— 8 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Gambino — “Duvanera” Nero d’Avola 2021 — Sicilia DOC, Sicily. Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A beautifully expressive 100% Nero d’Avola from Sicily, crafted in a style that highlights aromatic intensity and balance over power. Sourced from volcanic-influenced vineyards, this wine leans into perfume, freshness, and approachability while still delivering depth and character.

Aromas & Flavors
Captivating aromatics of ripe red cherry, plum, blackberry, violet, and rose petal, layered with subtle cocoa, spice, and a touch of black pepper.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with smooth, polished tannins and lively acidity. Fruit-forward yet controlled, avoiding any jammy heaviness, with a balanced, clean, and gently persistent finish.

Food Pairings
Grilled meats, pasta with tomato-based sauces, eggplant dishes, or Mediterranean cuisine.

Verdict
Aromatic, elegant, and approachable, a Nero d’Avola that overdelivers by combining expressive fruit with freshness and balance.

Did You Know?
Nero d’Avola thrives in Sicily’s warm climate but can retain freshness and aromatic lift when grown in higher elevations or volcanic soils, giving wines both ripeness and energy.

🍷 Personal Pick
This wine shifted my perspective on fruit-forward styles, the aromatics were so captivating that they elevated the entire experience. Opened it with friends after a lineup of bold wines, and it was the perfect reset: softer, more refined, and exactly what the moment needed. — 4 months ago

Randy Fuller

9.0

This wine has a medium-dark ruby tint. The nose is very muted, almost imperceptible black cherry, plum, and cassis. The palate has dark fruit and spice, with gentle tannins and refreshing acidity. It’s a vibrant, enjoyable wine, if not particularly complex.
— 8 months ago

Jeanne

9.1

Recommended during “after hours” event at Furioso tasting room in Dundee. We both loved it and bought a bottle as a result. The label design is fun, too! Bottle price was $34 in January 2023. — 3 years ago

Luis Arguero (@winefromAtoZ)

8.9

Tenute Orestiadi Zibibbo Sicilia DOC 2020: Medium-light bodied. Pleasant acidity. Good balance. Intense aromas of flowers & tropical notes with a strong bouquet of fresh fruit flavors: Grapefruit. Lemon zest. Peach. Melon. Light minerality. Dry crisp finish. Paired perfectly with shellfish. Great day to all! Cheers🍷 — 4 years ago

Stephanie

8.9

At Paige’s, Sweet 27 only. — 5 years ago

Fredybeans

8.9

Rubis clair
Nez fruit rouge et terre humide et baies
Bouche fraîche délicate ample finale assez fine mais courte
J aurais aimé un peu plus de profondeur — 8 years ago

with El

Livio Pastorino

9.6

La primera vez que escuche hablar de la Nero D’avola fue de un amigo que me comento que había estado en la Sicilia y le llamo mucho la atención los vinos de esta variedad. Recién a finales de los 90tas algunos productores se decidieron a elaborar mono varietales de Nero D’avola, aromas intensos a frutos negros, ciruela, cerezas, regaliz, tabaco, bien especiado, vino versátil, buena calidad-precio, acompaño un lomo saltado con papas doradas en vez de arroz, generoso en boca, equilibrado, excelente saludos — 9 years ago