2022 Caruso & Minini “Frappello" Frapatto Nerello Mascalese, Sicily, Italy
50% Frappato, 50% Nerello Mascalese Located on Sicily’s western-most coast near the town of Marsala, Caruso & Minini boast a history that harks back to the late 1800’s when Antonio Caruso bought the company to grow grapes for the nearby Marsala factories. The company was passed through subsequent generations until Nino Caruso finally decided to begin making and bottling his own wine in the mid 1900’s. In 2004, Stefano Caruso joined forces with Mario Minini of Lombardy to launch the present-day winery, producing wines from indigenous Sicilian varietals such as Catarratto, Nero d’Avola, Frappato, Inzolia, and Nerello Mascalese. Today, Stefano’s daughter Giovanna works closely with her father to head up this historic winery. Terre di Giumara is made from an unusual blend of native grapes: Frappato, an aromatic variety with low tannins, and Nerello Mascalese, a thick-skinned grape renowned for producing authentic wines with fruity flavors. Together they bring structure and balance to