Caruso & Manini
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and many may not realize that it is also one of Italy’s largest wine-producing regions. White wine production exceeds red wine production here by nearly three to one. This is due, in part, to the Sicilian’s preference of consuming white wines with the traditional cuisine of the island’s abundance of fish and seafood. The climate is hot and dry on the coasts, and temperate in the interior part of the island.
One of the white grapes indigenous to Sicily is Inzolia, also known as Ansonica. Inzolia, oftentimes confusingly spelled with an “s” – Insolia, delivers an intense bouquet with a fruity, crisp and extraordinary soft taste. A small amount of Chardonnay is frequently added to Inzolia. It should be served very well chilled, and is a refreshing option for summer’s traditional fare of fresh produce, seafood, salads and lighter style dishes.
A premiere producer of this single variety wine in Sicily is Caruso & Manini. Stefano Caruso and Mario Minini developed their winery near Marsala, Italy. They created an estate that is faithful to the traditional architectural style with a large square courtyard surrounded by buildings that house every phase of the wine production process.
The 2008 Caruso & Manini Inzolia Terre di Giumara (meaning land/terrace where the grapes are grown in the hills of Giumarella), is a result of an ancient equilibrium between the strong and generous soil of this region and the vine that never seems to suffer. This wine is made with 100% of the Inzolia grape. The destemmed grapes are macerated in stainless steel for 20 days, then soft pressed and aged in stainless tanks for four months, followed by two months in the bottle before the wine is released.
The 2008 vintage was recognized as the top single variety wine that best represent the Inzolia grape. Such recognition was given by the panel of tasting experts of the Italian magazine “Il Mio Vino”, who also added Caruso & Minini is today “a flagship of the Sicilian quality.”
Now available in Arizona, this wine retails for around $16/bottle.
