Pale ruby color; strawberry, cranberry, red fruits, smoke, grapey on the nose; strawberry, pomegranate, balsamic notes on the palate.
Dry; medium-light body; low, velvety tannins; good acidity (3.41 pH). Very smooth, easy drinker. This is a rare Sicilian grape grown almost exclusively in Vittoria. This is pure expression of the variety. Frappato also can be blended with nero d’avola to achieve added depth and complexity; that was not done here. Vittoria, with its red sandy soil and very close proximity to the sea, is considered the ideal area for growing frappato. 12.5% ABV
Planeta prides itself on being progressive. The website notes: “For five centuries and through seventeen generations, our family has been involved with the course of agricultural evolution in the complex land of Sicily, with an approach always inclined to openness and innovation. Where too often the agricultural world has been confined to ancient ideas of social tradition and production processes, instead we have inherited, from each generation, an instinct to change and to generate positive changes around us, both with people and in the culture.”
Planeto developed their Vittoria vineyard and winery in 1997, planting nero d’avola and frappato—distinctive Sicilian grape varieties. The vineyard occupies only a tiny area of Sicily and almost the only place where frappato is found. It is a component of Sicily’s only DOCG wine, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, which consists of 30-50% frappato and 50-70% vino d’avola. DNA studies show frappato has a close genetic relationship with sangiovese and up to 10 other Italian grape varieties which have not been identified. Bottom line: if you haven’t tried this wine, or the handful of other wineries from Vittoria, you have not experienced frappato.
Planeta harvests its frappato grapes by hand. The clusters are de-stemmed and pressed, then the juice sent to stainless steel tanks where it is stirred three times a day with very short pump-overs. Fermentation lasts a week or so, then is halted by refrigeration at desired ABV. The wine then remains on the skins for almost two weeks before it is racked off. Malolactic fermentation follows in the same steel tanks.
Planeta Frappato Vittoria 2020 is a rare and delicious varietal. Smooth, polished, with finely textured tannins. Invites pairing with lighter fare, especially vegetables, lighter fish, soups. It also is unique Sicilian grape that tastes just slightly different than anything you have tasted before. Pair with Italian cuisine—rigatoni, lasagna; pasta dishes; lighter beef; lamb; seafood; fish soup; onion and mushroom soup; roast chicken, turkey with cranberry sauce; vegetarian fare, especially with red peppers and tomatoes. Cheese—soft cheese $20-23
Planeta website; series of nice videos
