2021 Marilena Barbera "Dietro Le Case" Menfi Inzolia Sicilia IGT

‘Behind the house’ 100% Inzolia

“No tricks, no frills, just wine.”- Marilena

Marilena Barbera makes fantastic wine in the area of Menfi, western Sicily, a zone that gets little love due to the uptick and obsession over Etna and southeastern Sicilian wines. In addition to making focused wines with no additives, Marilena also studies various biotypes of her grapes- she brings an infinite curiosity which will only contribute to the overall understanding of her growing zone and grapes to consumers and professionals alike. 

The old vines of Inzolia were planted by her father over 60 years ago "behind the houses" of Tenuta Belicello. Head trained bush vines (heritage from the Greeks. So, not French style where the vines are trellised along a wire) from native, old vine clones from generations past (1920s) adapted to the micro-climatic conditions of the Belìce Valley. After 100 years, this vineyard is one of the oldest in Sicily where original native clones of Inzolia are still cultivated, a true living monument to traditional viticulture, and a treasure trove of biodiversity. Several biotypes of Inzolia coexist in this vineyard: different in size, color, aromas, and ripening time, the clusters of each have their own peculiar identity, and create a special mix of flavors that make this wine very unique and expressive.The soil is calcareous (limestone), and it greatly influences the grapes' aromatic profile, providing the wine an intense yet delicate minerality that leads to the development of a remarkable complexity and finesse.

The grape variety certainly has a range of expression, but most Inzolia available is from young vines, made for early and easy consumption to the masses. Rather than upfront fruit, this wine capitalizes on the savory nature of the variety, no doubt also due to the location up against the sea and the limestone rich soil.

Spontaneously fermented and a pre-fermentative maceration on the skins for 2 days, 4 months on fine lees in stainless steel tanks. About 3,300 bottles/yr.

Pair with shellfish!