2022 I Vigneri (Salvo Foti) 'Aurora' Sicilia IGT

Salvo Foti is a big name in Sicily as he's been the consulting enologist for many wineries across the island. In fact, I Vignieri is also the name of his consulting collective- you will see wines made by other producers with the I Vignieri symbol on them.

The Foti style has become a dogmatic practice of stainless steel, cement, and occasional amphora with no temperature control, no additives (save for very minimal suphur at bottling), with biodynamic principles included (i.e. bottling according to the phases of the moon). His philosophy extends into the vineyards where he grows only organic grapes and plants his vines in the free from, native Etnean "albarello" system at a high density.

The Aurora is not bottled as an Etna DOC this year because  the alcohol comes in at only 11.5% (12% is the minimum for a DOC status), though the vines grow in Milo, the esteemed growing zone for Etna Bianco Superiore and are from a single vineyard, Aurora. This year's Aurora is fresh, bright, a touch briny, and a perfect aperitivo wine with light fare and seafood crudo.