PERRICONE MENFI DOC
Vineyards are complex ecosystems where vegetals, animals, insects and an endless diversity of microorganisms live together in perfect harmony.
They are sensitive environments that any human intervention must understand and respect, trying to adapt itself to the rhythms of nature.
The vineyard of Microcosmo is the proof of a possible natural equilibrium created by a harmonic varietal interdependence that generates energy and life.
The Microcosmo vineyard offers a very interesting expression of Menfi's terroir because it is planted with 90% Perricone and 10% Catanese, a traditional field blend that is the typical varietal mix that you find in very old vineyards. The Catanese (a biotype of Nerello Mascalese) has lived here forever, and is used to mitigate the rustic character of the Perricone.
These two varieties live one by the other, they are mixed together and develop a strong interdependence that I consider a miracle of harmony and coexistence.
I love this vineyard dearly, and from its complexity I chose the wine's name: Microcosmo, an ecosystem where vegetals, animals, insects, soil, air, water, wild herbs and an endless diversity of microorganisms live together in a dynamic, harmonic competition, creating a small world where everyone, even the smallest one, is essential to everyone else's life.
Fully respecting its vital complexity, I consider this vineyard as a single, sole entity: pruning, sampling and harvest occur at the same time for both varieties because what I care about is not capturing the different characteristics of the grapes, but their harmony within the vineyard.
This is the essence of a cru wine of terroir, a wine with a fascinating unique character that represents the essence of the land to which it belongs.
Though genetically different, the vines of Perricone and Catanese develop a strong interdependence and are able to reach their full ripening point almost at the same moment. For that reason, I thoroughly sample the grapes throughout the month of August to understand when it is the best moment for harvesting, which is due normally at the end of the month.
Hand picked in small baskets, the grapes are brought to the winery for immediate destemming and crushing. Maceration on the skins lasts about one week, and the must ferments with wild yeast in stainless steel tanks at 25-28 °C. After soft pressing, the wines completes a spontaneous malolactic and then ages for a minimum of 12 months in neutral Slavonian oak barrels, and in stainless steel tanks.
The wine is not fined nor filtered, and it refines in bottles a few months before being released to the market. Although somehow tight and grumpy when very young, Microcosmo loosens up after one or two years and has a long aging potential, that can fully express the wine's personality after 4/5 years from the harvest.
The fascinating complexity of this vineyard is represented by a wine that I consider faithful interpreter of the territory: of its intensity, and contradictions.
Microcosmo is a medium-bodied dynamic wine with a multi-faceted personality.
It has a bright ruby red color, often lighter than many other Sicilian reds. To the nose, complex and elegant aromas of red ripe fruit merge into scents of sweet bay-leaf and the finest oriental spices: cinnamon, ginger, incense, star anise then dried fruit, baked black olives, and salted capers. It is dry and very persistent to the palate, with a mineral fresh structure that evolves into an intense aftertaste.
This wine is just perfect with all street food, have you ever tried the Sicilian one? Arancine di riso, Pani ’ca meusa, panelle and all “palermitano” street food, as well as cured meats and medium-aged cheeses like the Provola Sfogliata dei Nebrodi.
SERVING TEMPERATURE: 57 - 61 °F
Pour Microcosmo in wide Bordeaux style glasses to allow wine's oxigenation, at a fresh temperature that will favor its pleasant aromatic developement.
