Wine With Wanda

Sun, Soul, and Song: Savor Sicily with the Wines of Donnafugata

When exploring wines, José Rallo, CEO and Co-Owner of Donnafugata
encourages everyone to "Discover Sicily. Trust Sicily. You'll be in Sicily with just a sip!"

For the season finale of Wine With Wanda on Instagram Live, I wished for a vibrant, charming, and clever guest, who also makes beautiful wine. 5th generation vintner José Rallo was the obvious choice. CEO & co-owner of the award-winning Sicilian winery Donnafugata, José is a savvy businesswoman with the soul of an artist.

When José is described as the face and voice of Donnafugata, they really mean it. A talented vocalist, José believes in the synergy of wine and music, and her communications strategy includes events such as the "Donnafugata Music & Wine Live" events. José has recorded two CD's and performed around the world at prestigious venues, including the Blue Note in New York City.

Donnafugata was founded in 1983 by José's parents, Gabriella and Giacomo Rallo, and her brother Antonio is the winemaker. Donnafugata is celebrated for their terroir-driven style that expresses an authentic taste of Sicily and the Sicilia DOC. I visited Donnafugata in 2017; it was a magical experience.

Watch the video above, on Instagram, or YouTube to learn more about Donnafugata and to hear José sing a lovely snippet of the jazz song An Older Man Is Like An Elegant Wine. We also discussed the inspiration behind Donnafugata's bold artistic labels and the name of the winery: Donnafugata means woman in flight or escaped woman. 

During our chat, we sipped Donnafugata Sur Sur Grillo 2019 Sicilia DOC ($21) and Donnafugata Mille e Una Notte 2016 Sicilia DOC ($85).


Sur Sur is the first Donnafugata wine that I ever tasted and this sentimental favorite never disappoints me. Crafted from the native Sicilian grape Grillo, this is a beautifully textured and aromatic white wine. Juicy flavors of peach and melon are revved up by mouthwatering minerality and salinity. A sultry sip of Sicilian sunshine! 

 

First produced in 1995, Mille e Una Notte is Donnafugata's flagship wine, and José describes it as the dream of her father Giacomo. The name Mille e Una Notte was selected by her mother Gabriella -- when she tasted the wine for the first time, she told her husband that it was like the powerful literary masterpiece A Thousand and One Nights. A velvety and rich blend of Nero d'Avola, Petit Verdot, and Syrah; it is a big but graceful wine with gorgeous flavors of black fruits, herbs, and earth. Stunning now, classic and elegant Mille e Una Notte is crafted to age beautifully. 

Drinkability & Authenticity: Digging Deep Into Mandrarossa Wines from Sicily with Consulting Winemaker Alberto Antonini

"I believe that drinkability is at the center of quality."
Alberto Antonini, Consulting Winemaker, Mandrarossa

A few months before COVID-19 forced our retreat into socially distanced bubbles, I had the pleasure of meeting with renowned winemaking consultant Alberto Antonini. We had never met before, but I certainly didn't need an introduction. For years, Alberto's name had popped up during my wine studies; I would often drink a wine that I enjoyed and discover that he had consulted on its creation.

 A native of Tuscany, Alberto has worked with some of Italy’s most celebrated producers, including Frescobaldi, Antinori, and Col d’Orcia, but he’s really the world’s winemaker. For more than 20 years Alberto has consulted for top producers in Italy and beyond, including Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Portugal, Canada, Uruguay, Australia, and Armenia. 

I recently reconnected with Alberto on Instagram Live to taste the wines he consults on for Mandrarossa in Sicily. Located in the southwest of Sicily, in the historic town of Menfi, Mandrarossa was founded in 1999 and Alberto has worked with the winemaking team from the beginning. An important part of his work has been devoted to identifying the top estates within Menfi’s micro terroirs to produce Mandrarossa’s premium line of estate-bottled wines. 

Watch our chat by clicking the video above, visiting IGTV, or YouTube to learn more about Alberto's fascinating career and winemaking philosophy. Committed to crafting textured wines with drinkability, Alberto never wants to impose his signature on the wines. Instead, his goal is to make wines that reflect their true essence, not the hand of the winemaker. 

During our chat, we tasted two wines from the Mandrarossa portfolio. 



Mandrarossa Bertolino Soprano Sicilia DOC 2017 (Grillo) $42.99
Alberto said that Grillo is often described as "Sicily's Chardonnay". I've sipped a fair amount of Grillo over the years, and have always enjoyed its fresh and lively nature, but Mandrarossa takes Grillo to the next level. I never knew that Grillo had the capacity for aging and this was my first experience with Grillo that was more than a year old. This Grillo also spent time in concrete, steel, and oak. The end result is a beautifully textured and round wine that is full but not bulky and retains Grillo's vibrant and fresh citrus flavors. There's a delicious hint of salinity in this Grillo that calls to mind Sicily's sultry Mediterranean breezes. 

Mandrarossa Terre del Sommacco Sicilia DOC 2016 (Nero d’Avola) $49.99
Nero d'Avola is Sicily's most famous red wine and every winemaker approaches it in a unique way. Alberto's approach does not obscure the freshness and beauty of the grapes. This is an impressively fresh and graceful Nero d'Avola that epitomizes Alberto's commitment to drinkability. Aged in stainless steel, concrete, and oak, it is silky and very approachable without sacrificing complexity. Beautiful red berry and black cherry flavors get extra oomph from hints of herbs and minerality. Gorgeous vino! 

Wanda's Wine Glass: Donnafugata, Bonterra, and Champagne Pommery

Whether I'm wining & dining with friends or just relaxing at home, wine is an essential part of my life. When a wine makes me lift up my glass and say WOW, I have to share my tasting notes with you. Cheers, Wanda  

Donnafugata "Floramundi" Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG 2016 ($30)

Donnafugata means "woman in flight" but you should run towards, not away from, this elegant and sultry wine from south-east Sicily! A blend of the indigenous Sicilian grapes, Nero d'Avola (70%) and Frappato (30%); Floramundi is a lighter-bodied red that you can serve slightly chilled on a hot summer day. Fresh cherry and berry flavors are enhanced by a subtle kiss of spice. Floramundi is another beautifully made and expressive Donnafugata wine that is boldly adorned with artwork of a powerful and alluring woman. Fun fact: Cerasuolo di Vittoria is Sicily's only DOCG wine - the top tier of quality for Italian wines. 

Bonterra Rosé 2017 ($16)
Just when I think that I couldn't possibly drink another glass of rosé, I sip a particularly delicious pink wine that reminds me that rosé is a lifetime love, not just a summer fling. Made from organic grapes, this charming Grenache-based rosé from Mendocino County, California, is crisp and vibrant. Dry but fruity with juicy flavors of strawberry, watermelon, and pomegranate. Bonterra consistently delivers beautifully crafted wines at great prices. 



Pommery POP Champagne ($15 each)
No, this is NOT an announcement about my personal life - the only thing I'm expecting is a wine delivery from my charming UPS man! Pommery POP It’s a Girl and It’s a Boy limited-edition personal champagne bottles are perfect for baby showers and other baby related festivities! Or you can just follow my lead and pop them open while relaxing at home with Netflix and takeout! Don’t let the cutesy bottles fool you - the champagne inside is serious! The white and rosé are both crisp, extra dry, and balanced with fine bubbles. These adorable POP bottles are also available without the baby talk. 

Warm Up with Wine: 5 Sizzling Reds for Chilly Winter Nights

Baby, it's cold outside! Warm up these chilly winter nights with a hearty but elegant bottle of red wine. My five picks from Argentina, Spain, Italy, France, and the USA are certain to tastefully thaw you out! 

Bodega Norton "Privada" Family Blend 2014 ($26)
Mendoza, Argentina
The first taste of this beautiful wine transported me back to my 2015 visit to Bodega Norton in Mendoza and each sip carried me further along on that journey. But even if you've never been to Mendoza, this superb vino is an excellent example of the region's commitment to quality winemaking. Privada blends Argentina's signature variety Malbec with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to create a wine that is rich and silky with great balance. Luscious with dark berry flavors and an earthy thread of cocoa and coffee, Privada is complex but approachable. Founded in 1895, Bodega Norton has been owned since 1989 by the Austrian family that owns the glittering Swarovski crystal empire. Privada was once reserved for the family's private cellar and I'm thrilled that they opted to share it! And if you're planning a trip to Mendoza, I highly recommend a tour & tasting at Bodega Norton. Be sure to save room for the mouthwatering empanadas at their restaurant La Vid. 

Viña Real Rioja Reserva 2013 ($31.99)
Rioja, Spain
 Rioja is Spain's most famous wine region but that doesn't mean that the wines are homogenous -- there is a wide range of quality and styles. If you've ever doubted Rioja's ability to express finesse, depth, and personality, Viña Real will convince you. A blend of mostly Tempranillo with kisses of Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo; this fantastic vino strikes that perfect balance between elegance and earthiness. Matured in a mix of American and French oak casks for about 22 months before being bottled, the wine is not overwhelmed by the wood but is beautifully enhanced by this prolonged contact. Alive with luscious berry flavors and impressive minerality, Viña Real evolves eloquently in the glass and is alluring down to the last drop. 
 

Michel Chapoutier "Les Vignes de Bila-Haut" Côtes du Roussillon Villages 2016 ($15)
Roussillon, France
Who says that a superb French wine has to cost a small fortune? Acclaimed winemaker Michel Chapoutier has an impressive portfolio of wines at all price points but authenticity, quality, and respect for the environment are always the common denominator. Chapoutier is best known for his Rhône wines but his passion for the terroir of Roussillon led him to purchase an abandoned 190-acre estate there in 1999. Chapoutier passionately states that “Roussillon has the potential to be as great as Bordeaux, Burgundy or the Rhône.”  I agree. Just a few months ago I visited this picturesque region in the south of France, between Spain, the Mediterranean Sea, the Pyrenees & the Corbières Mountains; and I was impressed by the quality, diversity, and accessible price points of Roussillon's wines. A blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan, Les Vignes de Bila-Haut is fresh, full, and juicy. Easy-drinking and elegant with a perfect balance of rich plum and berry flavors with sassy dashes of herbs and spices. 



Tasca d'Almerita "Lamùri" Nero d'Avola 2014 ($18.99)
Sicily, Italy
It isn't easy to capture the sexiness and sultriness of Sicily in a glass but this elegant red succeeds beautifully. Nero d'Avola is Sicily's signature grape and can produce wines of tremendous power but Lamúri beautifully balances that strength with grace. Rich and silky, Lamúri means love in Sicilian and this wine's seductive tapestry of dark fruit, spice, and herbs is easy to adore. 

Mauritson Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2014 ($35.00)
Sonoma, California
Drink well and do good with this delicious bottle of wine - all proceeds benefit the Sonoma County Resilience Fund to assist those impacted by the wildfires. A softer and more subdued style of Zinfandel, this California beauty has loads of rich berry flavors and Zinfandel's signature hints of black pepper and licorice.
 

Planeta Winery Takes Your Palate on a Sicilian Adventure

"Wine was an important part of changing Sicily for the better."
- Alessio Planeta, Chief Winemaker & Co-Owner of Planeta Winery

My feet still dream of touching Sicilian soil but thanks to winemaker Alessio Planeta of Planeta Winery, my palate was recently swept away to Italy's largest island. Sicilian wines are garnering more attention and respect than ever before and Planeta has played an important role in this revolution. Founded in 1995, Planeta's slogan "a journey to Sicily" is more than lip service - they produce wine on 6 different estates that transverse the island. Their journey began at Sambuca di Sicilia at an estate that the family has owned since the 1600's.



Each Planeta estate is essentially a boutique winery in its own right. Each winery is built using local materials that respect the architecture of the region. In each area, Planeta meticulously cultivates indigenous and international grapes that are suited to thrive -- it is truly a terroir driven approach and you can taste it in the wines. 
 

Frappato DOC Vittoria 2015 ($22)
Frappato is such a fun word to say and just as delicious to sip. Fruity, light, and fresh with flavors of rose, candied violet, and a hint of balsamic; this playful but beautifully made wine is produced from Frappato grapes cultivated on Planeta's seaside vineyards in Vittoria.


Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG 2014 ($24)
Grown in Sicily's only DOCG (the highest level of quality for Italian wines), this vino blends the robust power of Nero d'Avola (60%) with the flirty freshness of Frappato (40%). Cerasuolo means "cherry red" in Italian and the wine is named for its beautiful color. A lovely sip, it is supple and lively with flavors of strawberry, cherry, pomegranate, and a touch of pepper. 

Dorilli Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico DOCG 2014 ($33)
The grapes for this elegant wine come from carefully selected vines at Planeta's Dorilli estate. Named after the nearby Dorilli River, the Planeta farmhouse at Dorilli is near land which belonged to their paternal grandmother. With a lovely round texture and an appealing harmony between sweet fruit and spice, this versatile vino can pair with a wide variety of foods. Alessio said that Cerasuolo is traditionally paired with fish but he also recommends it with tomato based dishes. 


Noto Nero d'Avola DOC 2012 ($26)
Rich and robust Nero d'Avola is Sicily's most famous grape and this bottling from Planeta's Buonivini estate is a wonderful expression of the varietal. Dry with lingering flavors of rose, hibiscus, strawberry, and herbs; pair this beauty with red meat and hearty pastas. 


Santa Cecilia Noto DOC 2011($45)
Sophisticated and supple, Santa Cecilia is Planeta's benchmark wine produced from 100% Nero d'Avola. Planeta describes Noto's white soils and ancient vines as the ideal area for Nero d'Avola cultivation. For me the true test of Nero d'Avola is a balance between power and finesse and this wine succeeds beautifully. This sophisticated wine is rich and dark with bold flavors of blackberry, plum, and blackcurrant that are balanced by lively acidity and hints of herbs, graphite, and pepper. Pair with steak, lamb, aged cheeses, mushroom based dishes, and pasta with meat sauce.

If you're planning a trip to Sicily, Planeta invites visitors to reserve tastings and meals at several of their estates. Accommodations are available at The Resort. 

 

Get Swept Away to Sicily with the Wines of Donnafugata!

 

I have yet to set foot on Sicilian soil but my taste buds have traveled there courtesy of Donnafugata wines. One of Sicily's most respected wineries and celebrated throughout Italy, Donnafugata was founded in 1983 by the Rallo family - a visionary family with 160 years of experience in producing premium wines. The patriarch of the family, Giacomo Rallo, passed away just a few months ago; but his wife Gabriella, son Antonio, and daughter José are carrying on the Donnafugata legacy.


Siblings Antonio (winemaker) and José (communications manager) are carrying on the Rallo family's Donnafugata legacy.
image courtesy of Donnafugata

Donnafugata's portfolio includes an impressive array of wines that vividly express the terroir of Sicily and the passion of the Rallo family. To get started, I recommend two Donnafugata wines that are perfect for steamy summer days and nights - SurSur and Sherazade. But consider yourself warned - the name Donnafugata literally means "woman in flight".  After a glass or two, you may be inspired to hop the next flight to Sicily!



Donnafugata SurSur 2015 Grillo Sicilia DOC ($20)
SurSur is a sunny and vibrant expression of Grillo - one of Sicily's most important white grape varieties. The playful name SurSur means cricket and comes from Arabic, which was once spoken in Sicily. Like an energetic cricket, this refreshing wine leaps across the palate with juicy flavors of white peach, grapefruit, and tropical fruits with an appealing hint of herbs and crisp minerality. A lovely way to quench your thirst on a hot summer day, SurSur is an elegant apéritif and a fantastic match with light seafood and vegetable dishes.



Donnafugata Sherazade 2015 Nero d'Avola Sicilia DOC ($20)
 I invited a dear friend to share this lovely bottle of Sherazade and I drank way more than my fair share - blame it on the vino, it was delicious! Nero d'Avola is Sicily's most important indigenous red grape and has a reputation for producing big and bold wines. Sherazade is quite different and shows the playful and more approachable side of Nero d'Avola. Named after the protagonist of the literary classic One Thousand and One Nights, Sherazade is fruity with silky tannins. A wonderful summer red, serve Sherazade slightly chilled to really capture its juicy flavors of red cherries with touches of orange peel, cranberry, and spice. Pair with rich pastas, pizza, salumi, and baked fish. 



winery images courtesy of Donnafugata

If you're planning a trip to Sicily, Donnafugata welcomes visitors for tours and tastings. Until then, fill your glass and let their wines transport you. Cheers!

 

From Sicily, with Passion: Cusumano Winery

If you can fall in love with a place just from drinking its wine, then I am head over heels for Sicily. Cusumano is one of several Sicilian producers that has impressed me with superb wines that truly convey a sense of place. Founded in 2001, Cusumano is managed by brothers Diego and Alberto Cusumano and the winery has extensive holdings throughout the island.


Diego Cusumano proudly shared his family's wines during a recent visit to New York City.



Noà Tenuta Presti e Pegni 2013 Sicilia DOC ($55) is one of the wines from the Cusumano portfolio that really wowed me. Any discussion of wines from Sicily has to start with its indigenous grape - Nero d'Avola. A rich and powerful red, it takes a talented winemaker to handle the power of Nero d'Avola so that it doesn't overwhelm the palate. Noà artfully blends Nero d'Avola with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to create a beautiful symphony of juicy dark fruit with piquant touches of spice, mocha, and minerality. Noà is impressive enough to pair with gourmet cuisine and an elegant way to upgrade pizza night!



For a more affordable introduction to the Cusumano style, give their estate bottled 100% Nero d'Avola 2014 ($12) a swirl. Spicy and fruit forward with pronounced mineral & earthy flavors, this is a vino with personality.

Sipping Sicily: A Conversation with Laurent Bernard de la Gatinais of Tenuta Rapitalà

  "If you drink Rapitalà, you are drinking Sicily from a French point of view."
Laurent Bernard de la Gatinais, President, Tenuta Rapitalà 

Charmingly referring to himself as the "first blend" produced by his Sicilian mother and French father, third-generation winemaker Laurent Bernard de la Gatinais of Tenuta Rapitalà is a serious wine producer with an endearing sense of humor.

One of Sicily's most important wineries, Tenuta Rapitalà is truly a marriage of cultures. In 1968 French-born Count Hugues Bernard de la Gatinais married Gigi Guarrasi from Palermo - Laurent likes to say that his mother imported his father to Sicily! His parents inherited the Guarrasi family estate that had been destroyed by an earthquake and together they rebuilt the winery and replanted the vineyards. In 1976, the first harvest destined for bottling was made and Rapitalà was the first winery in Sicily to plant French grapes like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Rapitalà means "Beautiful Garden of God" and the elegant and expressive wines they produce live up to this celestial name.



 
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Laurent and captured our conversation on video. Watch the video to hear Laurent describe his family's legacy and the terroir & winemaking style of Tenuta Rapitalà. Featured in the video are three wonderful wines from the Tenuta Rapitalà portfolio.

Tenuta Rapitalà Grillo Sicilia D.O.C. 2014 ($13) is an absolutely delicious white wine that is produced from Sicily's indigenous Grillo grape. The same grape used to produce the fortified wine Marsala, Laurent describes Grillo as a "coin with two faces." A refreshing white wine with great acidity and minerality, Laurent describes Grillo as a great summer wine that is on the same flavor spectrum as Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and Albariño.


Tenuta Rapitalà Campo Reale Sicilia D.O.C. 2014 ($13)
Laurent describes Campo Reale as the "true flavor of Nero d'Avola." Unlike many winemakers that overripen this red grape to produce very aggressive wines, Tenuta Rapitalà picks Nero d'Avola when it is fresh, but not too ripe, to produce a more graceful wine that displays spiciness, balsamic notes, ripe red cherries, and gentle tannins.


Tenuta Rapitalà Nadir Syrah Sicilia D.O.C. 2013 ($17)
Laurent describes Nadir as "very deep, as if you were diving into the flavor of the Syrah." Rich and elegant, this complex wine has flavors of spices, berries, chocolate, and coffee. Powerful but controlled, Nadir is a beautiful introduction to Tenuta Rapitalà's artful approach to international varieties.



If you're planning a trip to Sicily, Tenuta Rapitalà welcomes visitors (reservations required.) I promise that you will enjoy some truly beautiful wine and if Laurent is there, you are guaranteed to laugh!