Producer Profile

Sicily’s geography and climate are perfectly suited for the production of healthy, ripe grapes and quality wines. Palazzo del Mare’s vineyard sites are situated at an altitude of 200-300m, ensuring cooler night time temperatures which preserve crucial acidity in the grapes. Yields are naturally limited by the winds and the wines tend to be harvested earlier than many of their neighbours and consequently are bright and fresh. The Catarratto particularly displays that signature crisp, citrus laced fruit filled style while the Nero d´Avola delivers ample ripe, plummy fruit.

Viticulture

A combination of hand and machine harvested grapes. Yields are naturally limited by the winds and climatic conditions on the island and average around 7 tonnes per hectare. Vineyard sites are situated at an altitude of 200-300m, ensuring cooler night time temperatures which preserve crucial acidity in the grapes. The average age of the vineyards are 15 years old. The Palazzo wines tend to be harvested earlier than many of their neighbours and consequently they are bright and fresh with no jammy, baked flavours.

Winemaking

Harvested in the cool of the morning for maximum preservation of fresh fruit flavours. Gentle pressing in a pneumatic press followed by overnight cold maceration in order to extract all the aromatics from the grapes. Fermented at 18C in stainless steel, temperature controlled tanks. A small proportion of the wine (10%) is whole bunch fermented adding bright, fresh red fruit flavours to the finished wine. 5% of the wine was matured in barrel for 6 months.

Oak Treatment

Time: 6 months; Type: French ; % oaked: 5; % new oak: None;

Tasting Note

Ample ripe, plummy fruit, hints of spice and liquorice, red and cherry fruits, this wine is deliciously supple and juicy.

Food Matching

The perfect partner for a wide variety of dishes, particularly roast lamb.