Maybe you saw it. There was an article in Forbes stating that Sicily is planning to discount half the price of plane tickets and pay for one of every three nights in hotels in a €50 million scheme to revive its battered tourism industry. This was 6 weeks or so into California’s Shelter-In-Place order, and quarantine fatigue was palpable. I longed for the days in the not too distant past where international travel was possible. And I daydreamed of visiting Sicily to experience all that it has to offer: the food, wine, culture, beaches and so much more!

Well, it should come as no surprise, that when I saw the theme for this month’s Italian Food Wine & Travel was pink wines from Italy’s native grapes, it had to be a Rosato from Sicily for me.

In My Glass And In My Virtual Picnic Basket

The 2019 Graci Etna Rosato is 100% Nerello Mascalese “nair-rello mask-ah-lay-zay”  sourced from the contrada of Castiglione de Sicilia situated 600 meters above sea level. After destemming, and pressing with no maceration it was fermented on native yeast and raised in cement tanks on less for 6 months.

Tasting Note: It pours a pale salmon pink color with red fruit, subtle citrus, crushed mineral and dried herb aromas. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied and very fresh with an appealing kiss of tannins lending to its harmonious structure. It shows red cherry, red pum, and raspberry flavors with a hint of blood orange flavors with a very satisfying finish showing hints of salinity and minerally. 12.5% abv| SRP – $22

It was delightful paired with a sandwich of bresaola (thin sliced cured beef), pickled red onions, and arugula from our local bakery. As I sipped the wine and ate the sandwich, I imagined myself doing so while people-watching at a table outside a trattoria with blue skies above, drenched in golden sunlight.

Nerello Mascalese and Graci

Nerello Mascalese “nair-rello mask-ah-lay-zay” is an indigenous grape variety whose name is derived from Mascali plain, between the coast and Mount Etna.  The Mascali plain is where it is thought Nerello Mascalese originated.  The prefix “Nerello” refers to the color of the berries; black. It has been growing on the slopes of Mt. Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe for 400 years, but viticulture and winemaking dates back to the time of the Ancient Greeks.

No grape more than Nerello Mascalese illustrates the profound changes that have transformed the world of wine in the last 25 years.

Eric Asimov

A generation ago, the grape, much like most Sicilian wine, was considered “so-so” at best.  Today Nerello Mascalese has  both Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo ( Both my hand are  raised!) lovers excited about its aromatic, vibrant and structured character, and its exceptional ability to translate the Mt. Etna terroir.  

Azienda Agricola Graci  is situated on the north slope of Mt. Etna in the village of Passopisciaro, an area where viticulture dates back several thousand years. Alberto Aieollo Graci has been making wine since 2004, the year after he returned to Sicily after an apprenticeship as a banker in Milan. The family vineyards cover 2 hectares located various contrade, at altitudes between 600 and 1,000 meters above sea level. Their certified organic vineyards are all planted to indigenous grapes varieties, Nerello Mascalese, Carricante, and Catarratto. Many of the vines are still on original rootstock, ungrafted, having never been affected by the phylloxera scourge thanks to the unique nature of the volcanic soils. Minimal intervention is practiced, both in the vineyard and in the cellar. Fermentation is on native yeast and takes place in a combination of large cement tanks, large upright Austrian casks known as tini and large, well-used wood barrels.

Oh and that Sicily voucher offer? I checked the website, and they’re still trying to figure it out. Voucher or not, as they say in the South, “Good Lord willing and the creek don’t rise”, I’ll have a chance to experience Sicily up close and personal! A glass of this Graci Rosato would be the perfect “Benvenuto in Sicily”

Be sure to check the diverse selection of pink Italian wines my Italian Food Wine & Travel pals sipped this month (along with some great pairings)!

David from Cooking Chat writes about Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo: Pairings with My Favorite Italian Rosé

Pinny from Chinese Food and Wine Pairings writes about Pairing Bibi Graetz Casamatta Toscana Rosato with Drunken Cold Chicken Wings and Pork Knuckle, Sautéed Julienne Leeks #ItalianFWT

Camilla from Culinary Adventures with Camilla tempts us with Italian Pinks, Sardinian Native Grapes, and Gamberi all’Aglio

Terri from Our Good Life shares her pairing for Roasted Chicken Flatbread with Spumante Rosato

Linda from My Full Wine Glass says Summer Won’t Last: and Neither Will this Charming Chiaretto in Your Glass

Martin from Enofylz Wine Blog is Dreaming of Sicily with a Graci Rosato

Gwendolyn from Wine Predator offers Summer Dinner with Rosato from Tuscany and Sicily

Marcia from Joy of Wine chats about Rosato d’Aglianico Vulture: More than Just a Red Wine

Lynn from Savor the Harvest suggests Rosato: Drinking Pink Italian Style, from the Mountains to the Sea

Nicole from Somm’s Table prepares Cheese, Charcuterie, and Ciabatta with Praesidium Cerasuolo

Robin from Crushed Grape Chronicles offers Pallotte Cac e Ove & Orecchiette with Two Brilliant Cherry Red Rosatos from Southeast Italy

Katrina from The Corkscrew Concierge advises us to Get to Know Lambrusco Rosato

Susannah from Avvinare tells us that Italy’s Chiaretto from Lake Garda Makes Waves

Jennifer from Vino Travels shares Rosato from the Veneto with Pasqua

Katarina from Grapevine Adventures shares An Italian Rosé Wine that Makes You Sparkle

Lauren from The Swirling Dervish shares Cantele Negroamaro Rosato: Summer Wine from the Heart of Puglia

Please join the party and add your story to the mix. You don’t have to be a blogger, just someone who loves wine and enjoys chatting with like-minded folks. We get started at 8 am PT on Twitter, using #ItalianFWT. Just search that hashtag to find the conversation and make sure to add it to your tweets so we’ll see them. We hope to “see “ you there. Cin-cin!