Sicilian Stars Case

Great Etna wines, here made from the native nerello mascalese grape, seem to strike a balance between nebbiolo's structure and haunting perfume and pinot noir's elegance and fruit. The 2022 vintage is subtle and savoury, at first, opening to reveal fragrant red berry fruit, woodsmoke and incense. Tangy and mouthwatering, there is wonderful intensity and vibrancy on the palate, with fine, sand-grain tannins around a salty core. This pulses with Etna's volcanic energy.

This aromatic dry white has notes of nectarine, pear and peach. The grillo is grown in coastal vineyards in Western Sicily, and here has just a small addition of zibibbo that adds vibrancy and orange-blossom aromas.

Vermentino is a grape variety that loves the heat yet retains its natural acidity, making refreshing styles of wine even in the sun-drenched vineyards of Sicily. This peach and lemon-scented example comes from a brilliantly run co-operative near Menfi.

Frappato can be seen as Sicily's answer to Beaujolais. Pale in colour and juicy in character, this example from Planeta is a step up from the simpler expressions; it is sappy and with a peppery edge on the palate, and bursting with pomegranate, red cherry, and raspberry fruit. Supple, bright, and refreshing, this is perfect lightly chilled.

La Segreta takes its name from the wood that surrounds Planeta's beautiful vineyards at Ulmo in western Sicily. It has a vibrant style with a creative and delicious blend built on 40% grecanico, 20% chardonnay, and 20% grillo, with 20% viognier and sauvignon playing supporting roles, all combining to create a fresh, tangy peach and lemon-balm-scented white with real personality.

This Sicilian red is all about the fruit, with ripe strawberry and blackberry character, and a soft, succulent mouthfeel. Balanced and medium-bodied, this is perfect with or without food. The estate on which the nero d'avola for this wine is grown works to conserve the local flora and has catalogued rare species of orchids on their land. As a further move to improve biodiversity, Feudo Arancio has planted a lemon grove inside the stone quarries on the estate and thus rehabilitated previously damaged land. They also grow olives, oranges, and prickly pears.