2023 Marilena Barbera "Ti Vitti" Menfi Inzolia Sicilia IGT

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

How about a minimal intervention wine that doesn't flaunt or take advantage of a capitalistic trend, that tastes pure and clean, AND that doesn't cost you boat loads of money?

Marilena makes straightforward, aminimal intervention 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 otherwise unknown growing zone and grapes to consumers and professionals alike. Inzolia grown in Tenuta Belicello, dark fertile soils with an abundance of limestone. The limestone and cooling sea breezes Marilena considers the reasons for her wines high acidity. in clay soil with calcareous components, very rich in limeston and sea minerals. Spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel with 36 hours skin contact and 2mo on the fine lees, yields a rich, yet salty and tangy wine. Try pairing it with everything?

A full mouth feel, yet zingy inzolia- the richness and ripeness of Sicily, with saline minerality and brightness. Try with heavier, flavorful antipasti to roast fish and grilled vege dishes. 

Inzolia is a very traditional Sicilian grape variety. Historic evidence suggests that Inzolia has been introduced in Sicily between the 8th and the 7th century BC by Greek people migrating from their mother land to Western Mediterranean, and that the modern variety that we cultivate today has evolved from the original Greek clones after crossing with local vines grown since the Bronze Age by Elymians and Sicans, the native peoples of Western Sicily.

Inzolia is a vigorous vine, it is resistant to drought and it can live and produce in highly saline environments: those main features make Inzolia the ideal grape to be grown along the coastal areas of the Mediterranean, where this variety finds the best terroir for a perfect adaptation. It is no coincidence that Inzolia is also present in Tuscany, mainly on the Isola del Giglio, which micro-climate is very similar to the Menfi, Sicily. Inzolia grapes grown at the seaside taste very different from those cultivated on the hills: along the coast, in the narrow strip of land where the influence of salt is at its peak, Inzolia is able to absorb the sea brine from the air and from the soil, and its flavor is enriched by pleasant savory notes that can compensate the variety's innate low acidity. The wines made closer to the ocean are in fact  fresher and represent the best expression of this unique grape.

This grape variety is so well linked to Menfi's terroir that it grows spontaneously on the beach: it's fascinating to see its extraordinary adaptation during your morning walk along the Mediterranean shores.