Inzolia is one of the most ancient native grapes of Sicily, where it is grown since time immemorial: its favorite terroir is the sicilian coastline, where the Mediterranean Sea washes beautiful sandy shores.

Massal selection is a traditional technique for vines' reproduction that aims at preserving their intra-varietal genetic variability, in order to maintain the vineyard's distinctive traits and its relation with terroir intact.
Why is it so important for wine's quality?

Zibibbo is one of the rarest grapes in the world with a triple attitude: it is a wine grape, a table grape and a raisin grape. Its extraordinary adaptability is the main reason for a long history that dates back 5.000 years.

From a minor grape variety to a Sicilian superstar, Frappato has enchanted people's palate in a short time. It is a versatile grape: single varietal frappato is easy drinking and excellent companion for food; when blended with Nero d'Avola, it offers structure and elegance.

Transportation and electricity are the two most significant expenditure items in a winery’s budget, and the ones with the greatest environmental impact. Cutting down transportation can be complex, but making energy-related sustainable choices is, instead, very easy and is a strong commitment for change.

I am very excited to announce that my new labels are ready! 
La Bambina, Inzolia and Nero d'Avola Menfi DOC now have a new design and also new names (well, some of them). 

It happens sometimes that a wine that has had a DOC label for many years suddenly loses its appellation. Here I explain the bureaucratic mysteries of Italian DOCs, and why producers must re-classify their wines in order to be able to sell them.

I am quite sure that nobody outside Sicily knew anything about Grillo only 10 years ago.
This is also still the case for many indigenous Sicilian grapes, but the one surprising thing is that Grillo's popularity has broadened from being totally obscure to becoming one of the most appreciated varieties in a very limited amount of time.

A new year, trying to take stock of the past ten years of my life

From a marketing point of view, packaging plays a fundamental role in the perceived value of wine, and marketers spend a lot of efforts in the design of bottles and labels

Catarratto [KAH-tahr-RAT-toh] is one of the classic traditional white grape varieties of Sicily, and is considered to be one of the most antique.

Nero d’Avola is one of the traditional red wine grapes of Sicily, and is rapidly becoming quite a popular variety all over the world.

Every day we producers tell you about our wines, we share the photos of vineyards and tastings, we try to communicate our experiences and the successes we have achieved in the wine business. Very often we try to draw your attention on the problems that affect our life, and on the efforts we make to produce our wines as best as we can. Less often we speak about you: you that buy our wines, you consumers, winelovers, customers, you who make our wines part of your lives.

You who make our lives richer, satisfying and more intense.
Thank you for giving us so much attention, and so much love everyday.

 

Spontaneous fermentations or controlled ones? Wild or selected yeast? It's time to explain the difference.

I only have one comment on harvest 2014 in Sicily: outstanding!

Microcosmo, the perfect marriage between Perricone and Nerello Mascalese, two beautiful wine grapes of Sicily

Cantine Barbera's new vineyard of Inzolia has been planted by reproducing old clones that have adapted to Menfi's terroir for more than 90 years

Sicily in May is a real beauty: flowers, blue skies and warm temperatures are ideal conditions to enjoy nature

Sicilian viticulture tells the story of the Mediterranean, from ancient Greece to the modern age, and Sicilian wines are today renowned worldwide for their outstanding quality.

Altrimenti, vino perpetuo from Inzolia grapes, is probably the only "house wine" that is still produced and bottled in Menfi.

Menfi DOC: everything you need to know about one of the most interesting appellations and wine Regions in Sicily.

This article on agriculture, climate change and harvest choices comes out from a chat with Francesco Falcone, whom I thank for his precious support.
[The picture shows the vineyard Microcosmo, where a dangerous arson was set yesterday by unknown criminals]

Our past three vintages in Sicily have been incredibly hot, the 2017 in particular. We have had many days above 100F and, in some occasions, daytime temperatures have risen above 120F, along with muggy nights and continued draught. Many ask: is it possible to make wine in these conditions? And, how can you describe wines made in hot vintages?

An easy guide to Nero d’Avola: history and character of the grape, and useful information on where is it grown, what does it taste like, and how to pair Nero d’Avola wines with Sicilian and international cuisine.

Attending a wine show can be an amazing experience for professionals, but also for the general customer. Here you have a few tips to get the most out of wine tastings, especially if you are not an expert.

Italian DOCs (Appellations of Controlled Origin): what do they mean, what are their purposes, and why are they useful to recognize and understand wines produced in different regions?

Wild yeast and spontaneous fermentations, which are today one of the key points of the natural wine movement, are linked to ancestral Mediterranean traditions that remain a source of culture and inspiration for many winegrowers all over the world.

Known in Sicily by different names (Insolia, Ansolia, ‘Nzolia vranca), Inzolia is a white grape variety anciently brought by Greeks. It grows also in Tuscany (Ansonica), and in several wine regions of Western Mediterranean.

Where does the color of wine come from? What is white and red winemaking? What does "orange wine" mean? 
These are the most asked questions during this summer's visits at Cantine Barbera. 

Perricone [PEH-reeh-KO’-neh] is a red grape variety that is indigenous to Western Sicily. It has been cultivated for centuries in the “golden triangle” between Palermo, Trapani and Agrigento.

Thanks to the beautiful weather of the past week, the vineyards are now covered with herbs and wild flowers and it’s finally time for bud break

A late spring is quite uncommon in Menfi.
Heavy rainfalls over the last three weeks are causing major inconvenience to farm works in the Belice Valley 

Indigenous yeast and spontaneous fermentation unveiled: the WestSicily Wine Blogger's Tour in Menfi and Marsala

Why is everybody scared by spontaneous fermentation? Winemaking tip of the day: management of indigenous yeast

Evaluating the phenolic ripening of wine grapes is more important than just chemical analysis: Cantine Barbera experience

From traditional wine marketing to social presence: how to turn your online reputation into social currency

Inzolia is a beautiful Sicilian wine that has amazing aging potential: notes from a vertical tasting of Cantine Barbera Dietro le Case

The true story of La Bambina, Cantine Barbera rosé wine, and the reasons for its success