Christie Kiley on August 24, 2015 0 Comments It is always nice to find a wine that is unique and unlike any wine you’ve ever had. The weather is cooling off and it is about the time when our cravings and tastes start to change. The changing of the seasons allows for a welcome change for our wine picks as well. For the occasion, the Cantina Cellaro Luma Inzolia-Chardonnay blend–a special local grape and Chardonnay blend from Sicily–is sure to be a bounty in your glass. About Cantina Cellaro and the Wine Region of Sicily Their winery was founded in 1969 and presented their first vintage in 1972. Over forty years later their winery has expanded their vineyards to an area of over 1,500 hectares in the region of Sambuca di Sicilia. It is a region of antiquity dating back to its founding 830 by the Arabs, when it was known as Zabut. This region of Italy is where the country’s first inhabitants settled. It was the Arabs who fortified technology for agriculture and its production with the development and spread of irrigation. They also introduced crops such as citrus, cotton, jasmine and many others, which increased production. Sicily is home to more vineyards than any other region in Italy. Typically, this region is more known for its dessert wines, such as Marsala, but there are many more varieties from the region as well. Though dessert wines makes up ninety percent of the region’s wine production, there are also several red and white dry wines worth noting. The Mediterranean climate here is very favorable for quality wine production, which Cantina Cellaro demonstrates in their wines. It is no accident that this island region has been part of the winemaking culture for over two and a half thousand years. The warm and dry climate here keeps vineyards healthy and lowers the risk of rot and mildew spoiling the fruit. The constant sea breeze also has an influence on the vineyards, keeping temperatures steady and the vineyards ventilated. Because of this climate, there is no need for the use of chemical sprays and many of the vineyard cultivation is handled organically. The Smaller Region of Sambuca di Sicilia Do not confuse the name of the region with the anise-flavored liqueur. You can find this region on the southern coast of the island. It was granted DOC status in September of 1955 and was named after the commune. The region is mainly dominated by olive trees and vineyards and, though there is an increase in wineries who are producing DOC-quality wines, many still remain under IGT status. This, however, is not to note that they are lesser wines. The white grape, Inzolia, featured in the Cantina Cellaro Luma Inzolia-Chardonnay, is a locally grown white. It is a grape which is used in Marsala production, but is one which offers deep perfume and full-body to wines it is crafted with. Citrus fruits, almonds and fresh cut herbs are common aromatics associated with this grape, and it imparts hues of golden-green to wine. The 2013 Luma Inzolia and Chardonnay Blend This blend will make for a great aperitif to kick off any meal or just for sitting and relaxing on a warm afternoon. These two grapes create a fresh and interesting blend of Asian pear with kumquat, clementine oranges with notes of bright green, fresh thyme. The best way to enjoy this acidic wine is in a slightly chilled glass, paired alongside a dish of either risotto and goat cheese, most antipasto spreads, or fish and autumn-inspired salads.
