JM 1ST APPROACH

On the far north-western tip of Sicily, rising steeply above the ancient city of Erice,  are the vineyards of the Fazio family. One hundred hectares of low yielding vines, stretching from 200 – 500 metres of altitude, are planted primarily to Catarratto and Nero d’Avola.

Very pale yellow in colour with light green highlights. The nose is delicate and fresh with floral highlights and hints of exotic fruit. The palate is fresh and pure with lovely lemon citrus fruit flavours and soft mineral acidity. Serve well chilled with fresh caught fish, calamari or even Japanese sushi.

Sicily is home to some unusual and intensely flavoured grapes perfectly suited to the hot, volcanic, granite-sandy landscape. The catarratto grape is planted on the western coast, and produces light, dry, gently fruity whites. This example is ridiculously good value: as well as a sea-spray-fresh burst of lemon-pith zestiness, there’s some weight on the tongue and even a touch of pleasant grippiness. Try it with a traditional Sicilian dish such as couscous topped with grilled seafood. Max Allan

So much better than so many ‘dry whites’ at the same price.  Importer: Fourth Wave Wine Partners Green pear, citrus, apricot kernel and a few dried herbs, but perhaps ‘cooly fruity’ is a good way to describe it. It’s clean and refreshing with excellent fruit purity and a little bit of ‘mineral’, perhaps there’s a touch of sweetness to round out  and balance, but feels pretty much dry and pulls that way with its gently herbal and sparkling finish. Well, maybe not ultra-complex, but so good to drink. 91 points Winefront.com.au