Report 2023 on the Menfi DOC

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The 2023 Report published by the Observatory on the Menfi DOC speaks out clearly: Menfi is the 5th "small" Sicilian DOC by number of bottles produced.

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Wild Inzolia grows on the beach in Menfi

Inzolia grows on the beach in Menfi

- Letto 1427 volte

Inzolia is one of the most ancient native grapes of Sicily, where it is grown since time immemorial: its favorite terroir is the sicilian coastline, where the Mediterranean Sea washes beautiful sandy shores.

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Understanding Massal Selection

- Letto 4793 volte

Massal selection is a traditional technique for vines' reproduction that aims at preserving their intra-varietal genetic variability, in order to maintain the vineyard's distinctive traits and its relation with terroir intact.
Why is it so important for wine's quality?

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Zibibbo, a story of Sicilian identity

- Letto 32541 volte

Zibibbo is one of the rarest grapes in the world with a triple attitude: it is a wine grape, a table grape and a raisin grape. Its extraordinary adaptability is the main reason for a long history that dates back 5.000 years.

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Frappato: a star is born

- Letto 6141 volte

From a minor grape variety to a Sicilian superstar, Frappato has enchanted people's palate in a short time. It is a versatile grape: single varietal frappato is easy drinking and excellent companion for food; when blended with Nero d'Avola, it offers structure and elegance.

 

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What wine producers can do for climate change

- Letto 4380 volte

Transportation and electricity are the two most significant expenditure items in a winery’s budget, and the ones with the greatest environmental impact. Cutting down transportation can be complex, but making energy-related sustainable choices is, instead, very easy and is a strong commitment for change.

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New labels for my wines

- Letto 5662 volte

I am very excited to announce that my new labels are ready! 
La Bambina, Inzolia and Nero d'Avola Menfi DOC now have a new design and also new names (well, some of them). 

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Why - and what happens if - a wine loses its DOC

- Letto 6048 volte

It happens sometimes that a wine that has had a DOC label for many years suddenly loses its appellation. Here I explain the bureaucratic mysteries of Italian DOCs, and why producers must re-classify their wines in order to be able to sell them.

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Grillo, the new cool Sicilian wine

- Letto 19738 volte

I am quite sure that nobody outside Sicily knew anything about Grillo only 10 years ago.
This is also still the case for many indigenous Sicilian grapes, but the one surprising thing is that Grillo's popularity has broadened from being totally obscure to becoming one of the most appreciated varieties in a very limited amount of time.

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Weight of a wine bottle

- Letto 12225 volte

From a marketing point of view, packaging plays a fundamental role in the perceived value of wine, and marketers spend a lot of efforts in the design of bottles and labels

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Catarratto white Sicilian indigenous grape

Catarratto, a Sicilian classic

- Letto 28841 volte

Catarratto [KAH-tahr-RAT-toh] is one of the classic traditional white grape varieties of Sicily, and is considered to be one of the most antique.

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Nero d'Avola Sicilia

Nero d’Avola is a woman

- Letto 11963 volte

Nero d’Avola is one of the traditional red wine grapes of Sicily, and is rapidly becoming quite a popular variety all over the world.

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Marilena Barbera

Thank you

- Letto 10379 volte

Every day we producers tell you about our wines, we share the photos of vineyards and tastings, we try to communicate our experiences and the successes we have achieved in the wine business. Very often we try to draw your attention on the problems that affect our life, and on the efforts we make to produce our wines as best as we can. Less often we speak about you: you that buy our wines, you consumers, winelovers, customers, you who make our wines part of your lives.

You who make our lives richer, satisfying and more intense.
Thank you for giving us so much attention, and so much love everyday.

 

#SicilianWine project

#SicilianWine project

- Letto 9525 volte

Using social networks to promote Sicilian wines and indigenous grape varieties: agriculture and technology working well together

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Manual pressing

Manual pressing

- Letto 11418 volte

From a doll's winery to the real one: a manual press is still a great tool to manage Ammàno and small pieds-de-cuve

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Chardonnay seeds

Sampling

- Letto 10653 volte

Berries sampling is the best way to get ready for the harvest and to check quantity and quality of the wine grapes

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Alicante wine grapes

What harvest is

- Letto 9335 volte

Feelings and thoughts on next harvest 2013 and on the wines that I'd love to make when I grow older

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The new vineyard of Inzolia

- Letto 15043 volte

Cantine Barbera's new vineyard of Inzolia has been planted by reproducing old clones that have adapted to Menfi's terroir for more than 90 years

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Sicilian wine culture

- Letto 19322 volte

Sicilian viticulture tells the story of the Mediterranean, from ancient Greece to the modern age, and Sicilian wines are today renowned worldwide for their outstanding quality.

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Pre-harvest talks

- Letto 2991 volte

This article on agriculture, climate change and harvest choices comes out from a chat with Francesco Falcone, whom I thank for his precious support.
[The picture shows the vineyard Microcosmo, where a dangerous arson was set yesterday by unknown criminals]

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Hot vintages, fresh vintages

- Letto 3918 volte

Our past three vintages in Sicily have been incredibly hot, the 2017 in particular. We have had many days above 100F and, in some occasions, daytime temperatures have risen above 120F, along with muggy nights and continued draught. Many ask: is it possible to make wine in these conditions? And, how can you describe wines made in hot vintages?

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Nero d’Avola at your fingertips

- Letto 9718 volte

An easy guide to Nero d’Avola: history and character of the grape, and useful information on where is it grown, what does it taste like, and how to pair Nero d’Avola wines with Sicilian and international cuisine.

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Wild yeast harvest 2016

Wild yeast and the miracle of life

- Letto 18834 volte

Wild yeast and spontaneous fermentations, which are today one of the key points of the natural wine movement, are linked to ancestral Mediterranean traditions that remain a source of culture and inspiration for many winegrowers all over the world.

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Inzolia, the Mediterranean queen

- Letto 22031 volte

Known in Sicily by different names (Insolia, Ansolia, ‘Nzolia vranca), Inzolia is a white grape variety anciently brought by Greeks. It grows also in Tuscany (Ansonica), and in several wine regions of Western Mediterranean.

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wine colors

The color of wine

- Letto 11776 volte

Where does the color of wine come from? What is white and red winemaking? What does "orange wine" mean? 
These are the most asked questions during this summer's visits at Cantine Barbera. 

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Perricone aka Pignatello

Perricone unveiled

- Letto 14412 volte

Perricone [PEH-reeh-KO’-neh] is a red grape variety that is indigenous to Western Sicily. It has been cultivated for centuries in the “golden triangle” between Palermo, Trapani and Agrigento.

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Perricone buds in Tenuta Belicello

Spring, finally

- Letto 9853 volte

Thanks to the beautiful weather of the past week, the vineyards are now covered with herbs and wild flowers and it’s finally time for bud break

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Vineyards along the Belice River are soggy with water

A late spring is good for wine

- Letto 8520 volte

A late spring is quite uncommon in Menfi.
Heavy rainfalls over the last three weeks are causing major inconvenience to farm works in the Belice Valley 

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My dog Pablo walking with me during grape sampling in Piana del Pozzo vineyard

Ripening of a grapevine

- Letto 11260 volte

Evaluating the phenolic ripening of wine grapes is more important than just chemical analysis: Cantine Barbera experience

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Let's go social!

- Letto 13736 volte

From traditional wine marketing to social presence: how to turn your online reputation into social currency

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