Casa Mia Alicante Shiraz Terre Siciliane IGT

The grapes were destemmed and crushed upon arrival at the winery and were then transferred to temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. Fermentation took place at around 18-22°C with yeasts selected by the winemakers for varietal and regional expression. A system of rack and return and traditional pumping over provided gentle extraction of deep colour and fine tannins, whilst retaining fruit characteristics. Post-fermentation maceration was determined by the winemakers depending on the particular vineyard characteristics.

 The Casa Mia wines are produced at Cantine Settesoli, the same winery where the excellent Mandrarossa wines are made. Situated in southwestern Sicily, near the town of Menfi, Cantine Settesoli is a cooperative winery with 2,000 members who, between them, farm over 5,000 hectares of vineyard. These members are mixed farmers, with many also raising livestock or growing other crops, such as the famous carciofo spinoso di menfi (a native artichoke), which is protected by the Slow Food organisation. The work Cantine Settesoli has done to improve the quality of viticulture in Sicily has ensured a better income for the cooperative members, which in turn, permits greater investment into the quality of their fruit.

This investment pays dividends not only in the Mandrarossa label but also in the Casa Mia wines. The red, a blend of equal parts of Alicante and Syrah, has good colour, fresh and spicy aromas on the nose and ripe, robust fruit on the palate.