Luna Sicana Fiano 2024

The Luna Sicana - Fiano cuvée comes from south-western Sicily, in Casteltermini, in the province of Agrigento, on the banks of the Platani river. The vines, around ten years old and organically farmed, occupy a fertile valley floor with sandy, clay and silt soils, rich in minerals and slightly saline. The wind, present all year round, from a light breeze to the sirocco, keeps the vines healthy, while the minerality of the soils gives Fiano freshness and sapidity.

The grapes are harvested exclusively by hand, in small crates, during the second half of August. After destemming and crushing, they are gently pressed, then the must is clarified by static settling before fermenting at a controlled temperature, between 13 and 14 °C, to preserve the aromas. The wine is then aged for six months in stainless-steel tanks, then rests for two months in bottle before release.

This wine reveals notes of white flowers, broom, yellow peach, apricot, pear, lemon, acacia honey and hazelnut. The intense nose combines the power of floral and fruity notes. The full, aromatic palate is carried by lively acidity, marked sapidity and lovely persistence.

Ah, Italy, what a beautiful, hedonistic country, the land of la dolce vita, but how difficult it is to understand its wine industry! The key to understanding the appellation system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous nation, as each region has its own appellation system. Italy can offer wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, bottles brimming with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless, characterless wines sold under their most commercially useful and prestigious name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco, and many others... But let's talk a little history. Viticulture in Italy dates back to antiquity and originated in Greece. The Etruscans are said to have introduced the vine, and Greek immigrants improved and modified the grape varieties, subsequently calling the country "Oenotria": the land of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life, and certain regions already distinguished themselves by the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible mark of their conquest. Today, Italy is the world's largest wine producer, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic zones. The northern mountains have a rather harsh mountain climate. The plains of the "central boot" are characterized by a continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the southern part of the Italian boot, the Mediterranean climate prevails, with very hot and dry summers, not forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In short, Italy produces a wide variety of wines thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originated in its own lands. It is a country as complex as its wines, which deserve to be explored!