2019 Azienda Agricola COS 'Zibbibo in Pithos', Sicily

Giusto Occhipinti of COS is a benchmark producer in the Vittoria appellation of Sicily, and certainly one of the most important, influential, producers in all of Sicily; if not Italy as a whole. The winery was founded in 1980 by three friends, Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti, and Cirino Strano. The initials of their last names form the winery’s name.  The winery itself dates back to the 1880’s, during a period in which there was a huge demand for Sicilian wines. Phylloxera had already devastated many of the world’s top wine-growing regions but it had not yet reached the island at the time. Coming back to Giusto, he has this to say about his vineyard: “the vineyard is like our life’s savings in the bank, so we must protect it.” For them, protecting it means that they work organically and biodynamically in order to support the health of the soil. In fact, they have never used any synthetic or chemical additives in the vineyard since the outset in 1980. Why do we like it? Zibbibo is the synonym of the grape variety Muscat of Alexandria in Sicily. We will be honest with you, we don't drink a lot of Muscat, but when it is made that way, we can't resist it! Farmed organically and biodynamically, the grapes were fermented with indigenous yeast in terra cotta amphorae and aged for about 6 months on skins. It is what you will call an orange wine due to the long skin maceration, that helps to extract flavours and tannins. It is insanely aromatic with candied citrus, apricot and sweet spices notes. The wine has a savoury edge to it combined with richness and great complexity. It is different and totally convincing!   Grape            Zibbibo (Muscat of Alexandria) Country        Italy                                       Region          Sicily Vintage         2019