Notify me
2019 Vittoria Calabrese
PortelliCalabrese is the local name for Nero d’Avola in the Vittoria region of southern Sicily, but the vine does not originate from Calabria, and its clusters do not look like spicy sausages (a hypothesis I drew up while hungry). The name is, in fact, an Italianization of the old Sicilian calea (grape) and aulìsi (from Avola). Calabrese has made a second home for itself in the arid hills around Vittoria, displaying more graceful traits relative to the dense, tannic wines it produces closer to Avola. Portelli’s version features ravishing flavors of black cherry leading to supple, gentle tannins. Try it with Calabrese sausage for a deliciously redundant pairing.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2019 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Calabrese |
Appellation: | Vittoria Calabrese |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Sicily |
Producer: | Portelli |
Vineyard: | 4.5 ha, Planted in 1998 |
Soil: | Clay |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13% |
More from this Producer or Region
2020 Vino Rosato “SuperLuna”
Italy | Sicily
A rosé made via ancient methods from ashy soils high on Mount Etna.
2019 Vino Rosso “I nove fratelli”
Italy | Sicily
A profound red wine full of depth, liveliness, and old-school, rustic character; the intensely gripping, ashy-fine tannin is a trademark of wines from Contrada Pino.
2019 Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Italy | Sicily
Enough vibrance and freshness to drink well on its own, but just enough tannin and acid to be versatile at table.
2017 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Sciavè”
Italy | Sicily
Sciavè is the result of ancient clones of Nero d’Avola which, besides exalting the limestone matrix of its terroir of origin in the Eloro appellation, carry forth the elegance gleaned from patiently aging the wine in barrel.
2021 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Marzaiolo”
Italy | Sicily
The Marzaiolo is a brilliant white bursting with sunshine, sea spray, and fresh-squeezed Sicilian lemons.
2020 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Nsajàr”
Italy | Sicily
“Nsajàr” means “to try something new” in the local dialect, and this wine is the epitome of creating something new from something old.
2022 Olio Extravergine di Oliva Biologica
Italy | Sicily
One of Sicily’s most coveted oils, perfumed with bright citrus, dried fruit, and herbs.
2022 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Marzaiolo”
Italy | Sicily
September Club Chevalier ~ The Marzaiolo is a brilliant white bursting with sunshine, sea spray, and fresh-squeezed Sicilian lemons.
2020 Vittoria Frappato
| Sicily
The wine builds to a crescendo and leaves the palate stained and saturated with staying power. This is much more than quaffing Frappato. Irresistible.
2019 Terre Siciliane Grenache “Vigna degli Architetti”
Italy | Sicily
Grottafumata’s first release from the “Vigna degli Architetti” delivers deep, ripe fruit with elegance and grace.
About The Producer
Portelli
In the southeastern corner of Sicily, west of Modica and Ragusa, the town of Vittoria is the home of Sicily's sole DOCG (Italy's strictest form of wine certification), known as Cersuolo di Vittoria. Cerasuolo is an enlightened blend of Frappato and Nero d'Avola, and the two grapes when blended melt into each other in a harmonious symphony of flavor and texture. I fell in love with the wine and its medium-bodied, sensual, seductive personality. Then I discovered the Portelli family, Salvatore and his son Alessandro, and have been duly impressed with their mastery of these fine examples of southern Sicilian charm. Their wines are fresh, and joyful to drink, all while being faithful representatives of their native land. Welcome to a new KLWM standard.
About The Region
Sicily
Italy’s southernmost region and the largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily has no shortage of sunshine to grow high-quality grapes on a yearly basis. It also does not lack a history of winemaking: since the Greeks settled here almost three millennia ago, the vine has played a major role in the island’s agricultural makeup. Production of cheap bulk wine for blending dominated much of its recent history until now, as we are witnessing a quality revolution that puts forth its great diversity and quality of terroirs, indigenous grape varieties, and local production methods.
While Sicily’s historical reputation is for sweet wines—Marsala and the Muscats of Pantelleria stand out—a number of dry whites and reds are enjoying the spotlight today. The cooler, high-altitude slopes of Etna, with its ashy volcanic soils, have seen an explosion of activity from producers both local and foreign; both whites (primarily from Carricante) and reds (Nerello Mascalese) here are capable of uncommon freshness and finesse. Other noteworthy wine regions are Eloro, where Nero d’Avola gives its best; Noto, an oasis of dry and sweet Moscatos; Vittoria, with its supple, perfumed Frappatos; and Salina, where Malvasia makes thirst-quenching dry whites and deliciously succulent passiti.
Countless foreign invasions over the centuries have given Sicilian architecture and cuisine a unique exotic twist, making it a fascinating destination for gourmands as well as wine importers. With a wealth of dedicated artisans proud to show off the riches of their land, you can bet there are many exciting things still to come from this incredible island.
More from Sicily or Italy
2022 Olio Extra Vergine di Oliva
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2020 Vittoria Frappato
Portelli | Sicily
2020 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Nsajàr”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2017 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Sciavè”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2020 Terre Siciliane Carricante “Sciare Vive”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2020 Sicilia Noto Bianco “Mizzica”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2019 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2022 Olio Extravergine di Oliva Biologica
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Marzaiolo”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2021 Etna Rosso “Sciare Vive”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2022 Sicilia Noto Bianco “Mizzica”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2020 Vino Rosato “SuperLuna”
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2022 Olio Extra Vergine di Oliva
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2020 Vittoria Frappato
Portelli | Sicily
2020 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Nsajàr”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2017 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Sciavè”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2020 Terre Siciliane Carricante “Sciare Vive”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2020 Sicilia Noto Bianco “Mizzica”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2019 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2022 Olio Extravergine di Oliva Biologica
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Marzaiolo”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2021 Etna Rosso “Sciare Vive”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2022 Sicilia Noto Bianco “Mizzica”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2020 Vino Rosato “SuperLuna”
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
Our Guarantee
Our Guarantee
We only import wine we drink and enjoy ourselves, directly from the source.
Our wine tastes the same in your home as it did where it was bottled in Europe.
Like the long-term relationships we build with growers, we build long-term relationships with our clients. Have a question? Need wine advice? Just give us a call—510-524-1524.