▴ Rupe Secca Grillo DOC Sicilia
I discovered this wine through Haynes Hanson & Clark, who are quite brilliant at finding real gems at between £8 and £25. This wine is made from Grillo, the Sicilian white grape variety once used as the base for the best Marsala. At under £10 it demonstrates real personality, an intense tantalising bouquet with a hint of the sea, good weight on the palate and delivers a mixture of citric and stone fruit flavours, but it is the long saline finish that makes this such a refreshing and moreish glass. The grapes are selected from the best vineyards in the Marsala area and vine training is by the traditional Spalliera system. The grapes are hand-picked, fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature not exceeding 18 degrees C for approximately 3 weeks, with no malolactic fermentation taking place, so the wine retains its natural acidity.
Extraordinary value. Price £8.95 Haynes Hanson and Clark.
Dec 2020, SK