COS Ramí Terre Siciliane IGP 2019

In 1980, three friends became the youngest wine producers in Italy, and their last names form the acronym for which COS winery is named (Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti - uncle to Arianna Occhipinti - and Cirino Strano). They received an old family farm from Giambattista’s father, Giuseppe, with nearby vineyard land. The winery follows the principles of biodynamic farming to help the vines express their true character and that of their terroir. They choose to ferment and age their wine in terracotta vases and clay amphorae for the same reason. In 2005, they were the first to produce a DOCG wine in Sicily. They singlehandedly revived the Cerasuolo di Vittoria region and keep it thriving today. "Rami" is equal parts inzolia and grecanico fermented on their skins in concrete tanks, yielding a beautiful late afternoon-orange color and aromas of orange blossom, apple cider, and raw almonds. Delicate notes of jasmine and green tea pop up through a chewy texture and cidery tartness, developing fleshy apricot and peach flavors with exposure to air, before hints of honey and chamomile close the show. Organically grown, low-intervention/natural wine, vegan.