2023 Centopassi 'Giato' Bianco Sicilia IGT

60% Grillo and 40% Catarratto

From various vineyards in the high Belice Corleonese, 450m above sea level, near the town of Corleone, south of Palermo. The vineyards are organic, soils are clay of various kinds, at an altitude that gives cool nights and fresh acidity at harvest. ‘I Cento Passi,’ the Hundred Steps, is an anti-Mafia film made in 2000, and Centopassi wines are grown in vineyards confiscated from convicted Mafiosi, some of them notorious (such as Salvatore ’Toto’ Riina). In other words, the mere existence of this estate is a renunciation of the Mafia, and of the terrible effect that the Mafia has had on the people of Sicily for generations.

‘Giato’ is the name of the area around the ancient Greek theatre on Mount Jato from the Giabbascio Pietralunga and Verzanica vineyards. Organic in the vineyards, controlled low temperature fermentation in stainless steel using neutral selected yeasts. Aged in stainless steel for six months.

Fresh, bright, but not without some texture and weight (from the grillo grape). Try with aromatic and herbed fish dishes, herby salads, linguine alle vongole.