Marco de Bartoli “Vignaverde” Grillo

Marco de Bartoli “Vignaverde” Grillo from Marsala, Western Sicily is farmed from 9-hectares planted on calcareous, sandy soils.

Here in Samperi, the Mediterranean wind blows freely through tree-like vines. The estate’s vines are trained using the Albarello (‘Little Tree’) pruning method. In a dry climate Albarello roots can take root up to 20 metres deep to look for valuable water. Bush-like foliage allows grapes to grow in the shade with evening ripening across bunches. Due to low-yields associated and the hard work required, Albarello is becoming less common. The small Albarello bunches produce wines of great concentration and length.

The grapes for Marco de Bartoli “Vignaverde” Grillo are picked earlier than grapes for their other wines, around mid-August, to maximise the freshness and acidity in the grapes. Vineyards are farmed organically, before being hand-harvested, pressed and macerated on the skins for a day or so. Fermentation takes place with the indigenous yeasts before the wine is aged in steel tanks for 6 months on it’s fine lees.

The resulting wine is dry, fresh, with an abundance of green apple and white flowers on the nose. Zippy acidity finishing on a ripe, slightly fleshly palate.