Donnafugata Wines – Enjoying The Holidays Sicilian Style

Sicily is a wine-growing continent, with an immense diversity of microclimates and terroirs, each with extraordinary potential and biodiversity. Donnafugata’s aim is to show the history and nature of this diversity through its vineyards, from Eastern to Western Sicily, in very different terroir situations.

DONNAFUGATA WINES FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Add Donnafugata wines to your holiday table and enjoy the holidays in Sicilian style.  These three Donnafugata wines are sure to warm up your holiday season.  Donnafugata creates wines with great care, passion and tradition, perfect to be enjoyed with friends and family.  The beautifully designed artistic labels and names make them ideal for gift-giving.  Each bottle of wine has a unique story filled with history, art, culture and tradition.

SUL VULCANO 2019 – ETNA ROSSO DOC 

On Europe’s highest active volcano

This volcanic expression encapsulates what makes the wines grown on Mount Etna so unique. Its constituent grape varieties, primarily Nerello Mascalese with a touch of Nerello Cappuccio, are harvested from the north side, where less rainfall than on other parts of Etna and dramatic diurnal shifts, afford the grapes a long growing season. Combine that with sandy soils whose origins are firmly rooted in the lava itself, and you have a singular wine that is a true expression of the terroir of Etna. The current release is a prime example, its red berries and balsamic lift framed by silky tannins that are approachable now, and yet promise plenty of evolution for another five or more years in the cellar.

FOOD PAIRING – Red berry flavors, bright acidity and soft tannins make Sul Vulcano a very versatile wine to pair with a wide variety of dishes. Pair this delicious Nerello Mascalese with tagliatelle pasta in a creamy mushroom sauce, a decadent meat lasagna or roasted vegetables.

MILLE E UNA NOTTE 2018 SICILIA DOC ROSSO 

A Thousand and One Nights

Mille E Una Notte is Donnafugata’s most beloved wine.  At Contessa Entellina in western Sicily, was born this icon wine, the Mille e Una Notte: A Thousand and One Nights, a reference to the tales, which inspires the label’s iconic artwork It brings together the island’s most famous grape variety, Nero d’Avola, with international varieties like Petit Verdot and Syrah, among others. Each plot was harvested at its optimal moment, and the final blend showcases generous berry fruit pulsed through with spice and eucalyptus, promising another two decades of evolution.

FOOD PAIRING – Mille E Una Notte’s flowery notes, along with its earthy palate and exceptional structure make it an ideal pairing with meats. Try this wine with herbed lamb chops, pappardelle with a hearty ragu sauce or aged cheeses.

BEN RYE’ 2019 PASSITO DI PANTELLERIA DOC 

Son of the wind

Ben Ryé, named after the Arabic for “Son of the Wind”, pays tribute to the breezes that constantly blow around the Zibibbo grapes on Pantelleria, a volcanic island between western Sicily and Africa.  Golden-colored Ben Ryé has a rich bouquet of apricot and candied orange peel, topped by notes of Mediterranean herbs. An intense Passito, with an extraordinary balance of freshness and sweetness.

FOOD PAIRING – Ben Ryé Passito is one of Italy’s most famous dessert wines.  It is the perfect way to end any special holiday meal. Its rich texture, great complexity and elegance lends itself to a variety of pairings.  Pair with caramelized duck, foie gras, blue cheeses, pastries or ricotta tarts.  Also extraordinary on its own.  This is a wine not only to serve for your holiday meals but also makes a great holiday gift for the wine lover in your life.