Who makes it?

Santa Tresa is a family run wine estate in the Vittoria area of Sicily. The brother / sister duo from the Girelli family, Stefano and Marina have been the custodians of an established vineyard since the start of the 2000s. The vineyards contained Frappato, Nero d’Avola and the white wine grape, Grillo. All native Sicilian grape varieties. They have expanded the range of varieties planted in the vineyards. 

The families have made this wine using organic principles.

How do they make it?

The blend of grapes for this wine is one that is regulated. It is a blend of Nero d’Avola and Frappato grapes. In this instance, it is around 60% of Nero d’Avola. Interestingly, around 15% of the Nero d’Avola has been dried while still on vine before being made into wine. 

The Nero d’Avola is fermented in Slavonian oak botti which are large format barrels. The Frappato is fermented in stainless steel to retain the fruitiness of this red wine variety.  When the winemaker’s are happy with the wine’s progress, they blend the batches and age the wine further for around 12 months. This maturing process includes the majority in botti and around 15% in French oak. 

What does it taste like?

The Santa Tresa Cerasulo di Vittoria is a complex red wine. It is fuller in body with shapely powdery tannins. These powdery tannins add weight to the body. The aroma though is a blend of plums, raspberries, earth and cinnamon.  The finish on the palate is more liquorice and plums. 

What to drink it with?

As a food option, you could also start with a meaty ragu pasta or stew. A juicy beef burger would also work well.

Cheese

This red will go very nicely with hard matured cheese such as cheddar and Manchego. A truffle flavoured cheddar is a good match.

Quickie review « A ripe and plushly textured red from Sicily with oodles of personality. »

Country of Origin:  Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, Italy
Tasting Date: May 2024
Price:  UK £15 | €13 | US$19 ++
Drink: now – 3+ years 
Needs food: no
Source: tasting

If you like Italian red wines, why not check out:
The Italian Red Revival … Part 2 It’s Going South

Visit santatresa for more.