Tastes of Sicily

On June 29, 2017, wine drinkers and connoisseurs in Chicago were invited to join Wine Channel TV and Formento’s kickoff to its Sips of Summer wine tasting events with a Tastes of Sicily themed event.

Partnered with and located at Formento’s, an Italian restaurant within Chicago’s Fulton Market District, guests were treated to taste eight unique Sicilian wines- Alessandro di Camporeale Catarratro, Donnafugata Lighea, Mandrarossa Grillo, Morgante Nero d’Avola, Planeta Rose, Tasca Regaleali Bianco, Valle dell’Acate Frappato, Villa Pozzi Grillo, featured by Wines of Sicilia DOC.

A representative of Wines of Sicilia DOC said they were excited to partner with Jessica Altieri, wine expert and CEO of Wine Channel TV, who they said has a great, authentic voice with regards to wine. The two-hour event featured a Facebook live streaming where online viewers were treated to wine tastings and overviews by Altieri, a signature dish pairing by Todd Stein, executive chef of Formento’s, as well as interactions with WCTV’s partnered lifestyle brands for the night.

Todd Stein of Formento’s, whose restaurant is wine focused, agreed the event was great, citing the great synergy. “[It was a] lovely event, couldn’t get any better,” said Stein.

Enjoy the Tastes of Sicily featured wines video with Wine Channel TV host Jessica Altieri from Formento’s in Chicago.

Here are some fun facts about each of the Tastes of Sicily featured wines from Wines of Sicilia DOC:

Alessandro di Camporeale Catarratro

“Catarratto” is one of the oldest native grape variety in Sicily. Widely cultivated in the western region of the island, it is one of the leading Sicilian white grape varieties today.”

Donnafugata Lighea

“From the disheveled tresses the color of the sun, seawater flowed over the green, wide-open eyes.” Thus Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa describes Lighea, the bewitching siren and principal figure in his novel. She has inspired the creation of a complex and innovative wine and an equally original label. “It was not easy to print this label”, Gabriella (founder of Donnafugata, with her husband Giacomo) recalled, “and preserve the thousand shadings of colors of Pantelleria Island, painted in the original drawing.”

Morgante Nero d’Avola

The Morgante winery is located in the pristine countryside of southern Sicily, a hilly region located about 1200–1800 feet above sea level and just 45 miles from the splendid Valley of the Temples of Agrigento. The property comprises 500 acres of vineyards and almond trees, and the region is ideal for viticulture, with a Mediterranean climate and soil that ranges from clay and calcareous to marl.

Mandrarossa Grillo

Founded in 1959, MandraRossa is the creation of Cantine Settesoli, one of the world’s largest wine producers. Boasting a premium range of estate-bottled wines, MandraRossa is part of Sicily’s largest wine producer and co-operative formed by 2,000 members.

Planeta Rosè

Our Rosè, fresh and fruity, represents all the feelings of a Sicilian summer. Its colour is that of a summer sunset. The fresh aromas of strawberry make it a marvellously friendly wine, and easy to drink. Enjoy Planeta’s Rosè in good company, as an aperitif with tapas, raw fish, fresh salads or alone with seasonal fruit.

Tasca Regaleali Bianco

This was the first wine produced by Count Tasca d’Almerita on the Regaleali estate. Primarily a blend of three Sicilian grapes: Inzolia, Catarratto, and Grecanico, with some Chardonnay, this wine is cool-fermented in stainless steel to create a versatile, refreshing, and delicious white of true Sicilian character.

Valle dell’Acate Frappato

A dry red made from Frappato, a very Sicilian grape variety. Pretty from the start, this scrumptious wine is ruby red in color, with firm raspberry fruit and lively acidity. This is an easy-drinking wine to enjoy every day with Italian red-sauce dishes.

Villa Pozzi Grillo

Our Grillo is night-harvested and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness. With a straw yellow color, it exhibits aromas of exotic and white flowers with fresh and fruity notes of mango and pineapple on the palate. It is medium bodied and well balanced with delicate acidity and a persistent finish.

Be sure to join us on July 27, 2017 at Formento’s for the next event featuring the “Tastes of Greece”. Get your tickets here: formentos.tocktix.com/