Santa Tresa Rina Lanka Grillo Viognier 2024

Santa Tresa farms organically in the hills around Vittoria in south east Sicily, and this DOC Sicilia white pairs the island's native Grillo with a portion of Viognier. Sicily's warm, sun driven climate and coastal limestone and sandy soils ripen the fruit fully while the sea breezes preserve freshness, and Grillo brings the saline, citrus backbone that keeps the riper Viognier in check. After fermentation the wine spends four months on its fine lees, the spent yeast cells releasing mannoproteins that broaden the mid palate and add a subtle savoury depth without any oak. The colour is bright straw. The nose leads with white peach, melon and lemon, lifted by white flowers from the Viognier. On the palate it is medium bodied and textured, the stone fruit carried by fresh acidity and a distinct sea salt note through the finish. Serve at 9 to 11 degrees in a standard white glass. It works well with grilled sea bass, prawns and lemony chicken, and holds up to leafy salads dressed with olive oil.