Occhipinti Vino di Contrada Bombolieri 2022

Arianna Occhipinti farms organically near Vittoria in south-eastern Sicily, and Vino di Contrada Bombolieri is one of three bottlings that read the Frappato grape through different single plots. Bombolieri sits on a raised site overlooking the Serra San Bartolo, on highly calcareous soils that shade from brown to white. The chalk content holds water and reflects heat, which on a Mediterranean island helps the fruit keep acidity and a cool red-fruit register rather than turning jammy. Frappato is a naturally pale, low-tannin variety, and Occhipinti works it gently, with barrel ageing that adds breadth without covering the fruit. The wine is pale ruby in the glass. The nose leads with wild strawberry, red cherry and crushed rose, backed by dried earth and a peppery edge that comes from the variety rather than oak. The palate is light to medium bodied, with bright acidity, fine grippy tannins and a savoury, mineral close that mirrors the calcareous ground. Serve at 14 to 16 degrees, in a Burgundy glass to open the aromatics. It suits charcuterie, roast chicken and lighter pork, and is supple enough to take a turn with tuna.