Sicilian Sunshine :)

💦STAY HYDRATED💦
Hey,

God, it’s hot out there. Thankfully, we’ve just landed some of the most refreshing bottles money can buy, courtesy of the always-exceptional Lamoresca. This release has become something of a yearly highlight and it couldn’t have arrived at a better time.

Filippo Rizzo was once a restaurateur in Belgium, pushing proper wine long before his peers. He eventually swapped the hospitality hustle for a life among the vines back in his native Sicila. Jealous. Here under the guidance of Belgian-born Frank Cornelissen (a friend from his restaurant days), he sharpened his winemaking skills before reviving his vineyards in southern Catania.

Based 450 metres above sea level, nestled between Mount Etna and Gela and about 50km from the nearest vineyards, Lamoresca sits in a pretty remote pocket that has  now become home to some of the island’s most compelling wines. The soils are a complex mix of compressed sandstone and iron-rich clay, and year after year, the wines just keep getting more focused, more refined, and more drinkable. This vintage is no exception; it's a stunner across the board.

The new Bianco is textured, tense and salty. The ideal accompaniment for grilled fish. Probably the most complex of the bunch, mine might accidentally get forgotten in the cellar for a few years…

The Rosato is a fan favourite year in, year out. The Zibibbo feels extra expressive in this release, giving it a gorgeous orange blossom lift. The Nerocapitano (aka Frappato) is the ultimate chilled red. Juicy red fruit meets blood orange acidity, straight out of an ice bucket and it’s hard to beat. Please see COS & Occhipinti if you want more Frappato inspiration. The Rosso has a little more structure but is still full of energy. Briny, dark-fruited, and built for food. I’m bringing mine to Mangal tonight which has become a yearly tradition alongside a mixed grill.

Not just Sicilian bottles this week, we’ve done some additional shopping for bottles that suit the sunshine.

I cracked a bottle of Gut Oggau 'Winifred' over the weekend and immediately knew we needed this on the shelves. This cult favourite is where style meets substance. Find something pink this fun, I dare u.

There’s also a new release from Olivier Lejeune, a man who knows his way around high-grade Chenin. This one comes from younger vines and a cooler vintage, so it leans more on the crisp, hydrating side than the opulent end of the spectrum.

Some familiar faces have also made a surprise return. Yannick Meckert’s Auxerrois is back and tasting even better with a bit of time in bottle. Again, this was crushed straight from a tumbler in the park. No regrets (except maybe the choice of glassware).

And finally, Fato from Eloi in Mallorca has returned. Briny, herbaceous, and just stupidly delicious. A killer bottle for summer BBQs or salty snacks in the sun.

That should be enough to keep you hydrated and happy for the week. If you want more recommendations or just fancy chatting wine, I’m always here.

Don’t forget the sun cream.

xoxo
Fionn