When I think of summer red wines, Frappato immediately jumps to the top of my sipping list. Reminiscent of Gamay and some Pinot Noir, Frappato is a lighter style of wine that can be slightly chilled before your tasting pleasure begins.
As its name suggests, the Valle Dell’Acate winery is located in a valley just north of the village of Acate. To get your bearings, Acate is north of Vittoria and Ragusa in southeastern Sicily. Here, Frappato vines are grown on a unique black soil that is riddled with white pebbles. The structure of this soil allows the vines to oxygenate freely and dig deep into the ground for water and nutrients. Vineyards are low-lying at roughly 100 meters above sea level, basking in the endless island sun.
While Frappato is usually blended with Nero d’Avola to produce Cerasuolo di Vittoria wine, Sicily’s first and only DOCG, this winery also produces Frappato as a single varietal. Frappato is famous for its cherry color, floral aromatics, and low tannins, largely attributed to its thin, delicate skins.
The 2017 Il Frappato opened with primary aromas and flavors of dusty rose and violet petals, black raspberry, red cherry, and a hint of sage. Tertiary notes unfolded to raspberry preserves and volcanic dirt. This wine was dry, with medium (+) acidity, medium alcohol, medium (+) aroma and flavor intensity, medium (-) body, and medium tannins. The finish was medium (+).
Seek out Frappato for your next BBQ, as this wine will pair with virtually all tasty treats on your dinner table.
