The Mediterranean Heart

Prior to the Age of Discovery, the Mediterranean area had for centuries remained the centre of Europe and its history. Owing to their geopolitical locations, if Crete and Cyprus were more Hellenised whereas Corsica and Sardinia more Romanised, the island of Sicily was uniquely influenced by cultures from both the Western and Eastern Mediterranean.
Situated in the middle of the Mediterranean, Sicily has been an important island since classical antiquity. Owing to its strategic location, the island had been variously occupied by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans and Aragonese. Archaeological sites from different cultures and periods peppered the island, which is home to 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Greek influence was arguably the more dominant. In fact, the name Sicily came from Greek Σικελία (Sikelia), and the island was part of Magna Graecia, the name for ancient Greek territories in southern Italy. So close was Sicily to the ancient Greek city-states that during the Peloponnesian War, Sicily was allied to Sparta and Corinth against Athens – that was the era when Rome had yet to rise to prominence.
All the while, the Carthaginians, having gained a foothold in western Sicily, were expanding eastwards towards Magna Graecia, resulting in the Greek-Punic wars, if less well-known than the Roman Punic wars. Subsequent to Roman victories over the Greek city-states and Carthage in mid-2nd century BC, Sicily became Rome’s first province outside of the Italian Peninsula, as well as the granary of the Roman world.
If the Sicilian dialect is sufficiently different from standard Italian that it could be considered a separate language in its own right, so is Sicilian viticulture, which boasts a range of indigenous varieties unique to the island. Sicily and its wines are a treasure trove to be opened and explored.

   Valle dell’Acate Insolia 2013
A single-varietal Insolia from Vittoria DOC. Luminous citrine with light golden reflex, the pristine nose offers pomelo, green apple, lime blossom and crushed seashell. Supported by abundant acidity and palpable minerality, the bright palate delivers lemon peel, grapefruit, greengage and fleur de sel. Medium-bodied at 12.5%, the composed entry continues through an elegant mid-palate, leading to a clean finish.

Valle dell’Acate Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico 2011
A blend of Nero d’Avola and Frappato from Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG. Rich garnet with cardinal-purple rim, the fragrant nose presents raspberry, red cherry, plum and geranium. Braced by generous acidity and supple tannins, the fleshy palate provides cranberry, redcurrant, strawberry and cherry blossom. Medium-bodied at 13.5%, the attractive entry persists through an energetic mid-palate, leading to a long finish.

Valle dell’Acate Il Frappato 2013
A single-varietal Frappato from Vittoria DOC. Deep ruby with cardinal-purple rim, the floral nose radiates blackberry, blueberry, red cherry and geranium. Underpinned by lively acidity and juicy tannins, the tutti frutti-like palate exudes cranberry, raspberry, redcurrant and rose. Medium-light bodied at 13%, the succulent entry carries onto a vibrant mid-palate, leading to a dainty finish.

Valle dell’Acate Tané 2004
A blend of 90% Nero d’Avola and 10% Syrah from Sicilia IGT. Reddish black with carmine-rosewood rim, the statuesque nose effuses dried cherry, dried damson, spice box, dark chocolate and tobacco. Buttressed by corpulent acidity and dense tannins, the monumental palate emanates dried bilberry, dried prune, clove, coffea Arabica and charcoal. Full-bodied at 15%, the concentrated entry evolves into a lavish mid-palate, leading to potent finish. Jacky I.F. Cheong

To be continued…

Available at Cottage Vineyards; Contact: Ms Ada Leung; W: www.cottagevineyards.com; E: adaleung@cottagevineyards.com; T: +853 6283 3238

Jacky I.F. Cheong is a legal professional by day and columnist by night. Having spent his formative years in Britain,
France, and Germany, he regularly writes about wine, fine arts, classical music, and politics in several languages