MandraRossa Fiano 2008

Sicily, Italy
$16-20 available at select private liquor stores
www.mandrarossa.com

In the midst of all this snow and frigid arctic air, let’s transport ourselves (mentally and tastefully) to a warm place. Sicily is one of the hottest wine regions in the world, the football to mainland Italy’s boot, surrounded by warm Mediterranean waters. Like the rest of Italy, the wine culture in Sicily is anchored on local, autochthonous grapes. The Fiano grape is said to have originated in southern Italy over two thousand years ago. Ancient Latins called the grape Vitis Apiana because the grapes were so sweet that they were a favourite of bees.

I see what the bees were buzzing about. Golden in the glass, with alluring aromas of dried mango, honeyed lemon lozenge and overripe pineapple. The medium bodied palate is rich with pineapple, tropical flowers, peach, fresh bright lemon and minerals, and the spiced finish lingers. Boldly crisp, yet warmly elegant. If this can’t warm your spirits in this cold snap, keep drinking. Good value here, but drink now as it’s finished with a plastic cork. Pair with linguine with clams, or prawns or chicken with spiced carrot-mango sauce.

MandaRossa is a co-op of over 100 growers, run by well-known and experienced Diego Planeta (of renowned Settesoli and Planeta wineries). Diego saw the huge potential of Sicily for fine wine production and poured molti resources into making this a modern and innovative, terroir-driven winery.

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MandraRossa Fiano 2008

Ancient Latins called the Fiano grape Vitis Apiana because the grapes were so sweet that they were a favourite of bees. Golden in the glass, with alluring aromas of dried mango, honeyed lemon lozenge and overripe pineapple. The medium bodied palate is rich with pineapple, tropical flowers, peach, fresh bright lemon and minerals, and the spiced finish lingers. Boldly crisp, yet warmly elegant. Good value here.