Porta del Vento - Catarratto Monreale 750ml 2023 D.O.C. (13% ABV)

The tiny, Porta del Vento winery sits 2000 feet above Palermo, near the village of Camporeale, an area of Sicily where nature can be very harsh. The vineyard extends for eighteen hectares on the hills of the area of Alcamo doc and Monreale doc. Sandy soils on sandstone crust. Vineyards are mainly cultivated with "alberello" system and are almost fifty years old, exposed to the north following the steep slopes of the land. At 600m elevation, on incredibly steep slopes, this area is known for constant, brutal winds, blowing through the vineyards. These ever-present winds, along with the large, diurnal, temperature range, allow for wines of great concentration, character, low alcohol and racy acidity.

100% organic and biodynamic Catarratto, from the estate oldest vines. After crushing and pressing, the must is fermented with native yeasts in temperature controlled stainless steel vats. Aged in concrete vats for 4 months, and for 4 months in bottle before release.

Named after the winery, this was Porta del Vento first wine, and put Marco Sferlazzo on the map of artisanal winegrowers in Sicily. Bright, supple, with a core of juicy peach and zesty Meyer lemon, framed by a savory, almost saline acidity. Perfect for all things seafood, light risottos, Asian food. Try it with an eggplant Bahn Mi!

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Sandy soil 
600 meters in altitude.
Extreme winds with strong thermal excursions.
70 year old vines.
Biodynamic and organic.

 hand picked in September , Six months in cement tanks on lees, ambient yeast, low so2

Mid-weighted and wonderful textural,  Emanating an air of 'Sicilian White Burgundy' (more Mâconnais than Chablis), packed with oodles of citrus, stem ginger, white orchard fruit pulp, and a wonderful push/pull between lactic tang and salty mineral cut. A wine that delivers in spades ... and one of the very few still renditions of the Catarratto grape you will find with this much intrigue.

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