Perricone 'Microcosmo' Cantine Barbera 2019

The “Microcosmo” by Cantine Barbera is a Sicilian red wine based on Perricone, with a small percentage of Nerello Mascalese. It is a typically territorial wine, made from the grapes of an ancient vine historically present in Western Sicily. In the past, Perricone was used to produce Marsala Ruby, but in recent decades it has been rediscovered and valued by some local producers. It is a red with a Mediterranean face, with aromas of small berries, aromatic herbs, and notes of oriental spices, making it particularly fascinating. The smooth sip and fresh profile make it a perfect table companion with some typical dishes of Sicilian cuisine, such as rice arancini with sauce, meatballs, or fegatelli.

The Perricone “Microcosmo” is born on the coastline of Menfi, an area with a warm and sunny climate, but always breezy, thanks to the presence of sea breezes. It is in this splendid territory that Marilena Barbera manages an estate of about 15 hectares, cultivated with the typical varieties of the area, particularly Grillo, Catarratto, Insolia, Zibibbo, Perricone, and Nero d’Avola. The vineyards are managed under organic farming practices, and in the winery, the winemaking process is followed with minimal intervention. The vineyard "Microcosmo" was planted in 2007 and is composed of 90% Perricone and 10% Cananese, an ancient clone of Nerello Mascalese. It is a true estate cru, characterized by medium-textured soils, predominantly made up of alluvial clays, very suitable for Perricone. The two varieties are cultivated in a mixed manner, and the harvest occurs simultaneously towards the end of August, with manual collection and selection in the vineyard of the best bunches.

The wine "Microcosmo" Perricone from the Sicilian winery Barbera is an artisanal wine, made with spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel tanks, using only indigenous yeasts and with a maceration on the skins for a couple of weeks. The wine matures for about 12 months in old exhausted tonneau, which impart no wood aromas to the wine.Bottling takes place without any filtration or clarification. The color is bright ruby red with slight garnet reflections. The olfactory profile expresses aromas of Mediterranean scrub herbs, small red berry fruits, hints of oriental spices, incense, nuances of capers and black olives. The taste is intense, rich and juicy, with a dense tannic structure and a finish of lively freshness.