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Terre di Giurfo
In my search for outstanding vineyard locations in each region, that led me to Terre di Giurfo in the Sicilian region of Vittoria. Wine regions in general often have far more variation than what might be implied as a fairly similar set of characteristics across each region and that is definitely true of Vittoria in Sicily.
Vittoria is in the southeastern corner of Sicily and is centered around the city by the same name. But, the vineyards around the city, and which account for most of the production in the region, are on flat, dusty, and what can be very hot farmland as opposed to parts of the region with more hills further away from the city. On my visits to wineries within the region I also definitely noticed differences between tasting wines produced near Vittoria and wines produced in parts of the region with higher elevations further from Vittoria.
At Terre di Giurfo, which is in rolling hills about five miles northeast of Mazzarrone and which is about 15 miles north of Vittoria, I found wines that had more freshness and expressiveness than other wines that I had tasted in the area. Feeling the fresh breezes at their hilltop winery which is surrounded by their vineyards was one indication of the freshness that I then found in their wines but the hills also have more concentrations of limestone which I could also taste in the expressiveness of the wines.
The estate also had a good selection of native varietals and my initial selections were two whites, Insolia and Grillo, and three reds, Nero d'Avola, Frappato, and Cerasuolo di Vittoria, the renowned blend from the area which combines the structure and richness of Nero d'Avola with the aromatics and expressive fruit of Frappato. The farming on the estate is also of the highest quality with organic farming in the vineyards and manual harvesting of all the grapes.
Expansive hilltop vineyards of Terre di Giurfo
Winery on top of the hill
View from the Winery
Insolia vines
The Wines
"Alaki" Insolia 2022 (OF, NF)
Aromas include white grapefruit, Meyer Lemon, pear, yellow apple, white flowers, and honeysuckle. Flavors include honeydew melon, pear, green apple, white grapefruit, and white peach. There is a medium body, good balance and acidity, and a refreshing medium finish.
Food pairings would include sole, shrimp, crab, scallops, calamari, clams, seafood salads, veal, pork, chicken, pasta with light cream sauces or garlic and oil, Asian pork, chicken, seafood, and vegetable dishes, Asian appetizers, Mexican pork, chicken, and seafood dishes, enchiladas, tamales, chile relleño, chile verde, tacos, tapas, green salads, and mild, medium, and creamy cheeses.
"Suliccenti" Grillo 2022 (OF, NF)
Aromas include narcissus, jasmine, gardenia, white grapefruit, citrus blossoms, and hints of wildflower honey. Flavors include honeydew melon, pear, green apple, and star fruit. There is a medium body, perfect balance and acidity, and a refreshing medium to full finish.
Food pairings would include shrimp, sole, crab, swordfish, calamari, seafood pasta and salads, seafood au gratin, veal and pork cutlets, Asian pork, chicken, and seafood dishes, Asian appetizers and salads, spring rolls and imperial rolls, pork and chicken enchiladas, tacos, tapas, green salads, charcuterie, and mild, medium, and creamy cheeses.
"Alaki" Nero d'Avola 2020 (OF, NF)
Nero d’Avola is the main red grape of Sicily and it is known for its dark skin and expressive fruit flavors. Aromas include black cherries, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, nectarines, and apricots. Flavors include black cherries, blackberries, blueberries, and hints of raspberries and strawberries. There is a medium body, good balance and acidity, and a long medium finish.
Food pairings would include New York Steak, beef stew, rack of lamb, veal chops, pork chops and tenderloin, baked chicken, duck, cassoulet, pasta with marinara sauce, salmon, shrimp, swordfish, clams, mussels, calamari, paella, Asian pork, and chicken dishes, spring rolls, Mexican chicken and seafood dishes, and mild to medium cheeses.
"Belsito" Frappato 2022 (OF, NF)
Aromas include dark cherries, red cherries, dark plums, boysenberries, blueberries, and ripe strawberries. Flavors include dark cherries, dark plums, boysenberries, blueberries, and hints of pomegranates, and red peaches. There is a medium body, perfect balance and acidity, and a long medium finish.
Food pairings would include Filet Mignon, rack of lamb, veal chops, pork chops and tenderloin, pork shoulder, chicken, duck, cassoulet, wild boar, pasta with light meat sauces and light tomato sauces, salmon, shrimp, calamari, clam, seafood pasta dishes, Asian pork and chicken dishes, lamb curries, Indian appetizers, Mexican beef, pork, and chicken dishes, enchiladas, tamales, tacos, tapas, light charcuterie, and mild to medium cheeses.
"Maskaria" Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG 2015 (OF, NF)
The Cerasuolo di Vittoria is a blend of 40 percent Frappato and 60 percent Nero d’Avola. Aromas include rich dark fruits such as dark cherries and blackberries, currants, raspberries, and the rich aromas of old roses. Flavors include black cherries, boysenberries, strawberries, and nectarines. There is a medium body, perfect balance and acidity, good structure, and a refreshing minerally finish with a hint of tannins.
Food pairings would include Filet Mignon, New York Steak, short ribs, beef stew, lamb, veal, pork, chicken, pasta with meat sauces or seafood, paella, Asian and Mexican beef, pork, and chicken dishes, charcuterie, and mild cheeses.
