2011 Cantine Colosi Sicilia Bianco

Since we are exploring the food of Italy, it stands to reason that we should explore the wine as well. Today’s selection, 2011 Cantine Colosi Sicilia Bianco, made it’s way to me via my wine of the month delivery from my realtor. When I received my delivery, it didn’t occur to me right off the bat that this was an Italian wine. But I’ve had Italy on the brain lately and at some point this fact clicked. 

To be 100% honest this wine wasn’t one of my favorites. I personally found it to be too acidic and tart for drinking. I ended up drinking some, and cooking with the rest. I found it to be much more enjoyable in food then in my glass. If I were to assign stars this one would only receive two.

I wanted to review the wine for you, and give some background despite the fact that it wasn’t my favorite for three reasons. One: I have a personal preference towards sweeter and less acidic wines, but I’m sure that doesn’t necessarily apply to everyone reading. Two: I still think it’s pretty interesting to check out and get some background on different wines from what is perhaps a less explored region. Three: I think it’s also helpful to know what wines a reviewer doesn’t care for in addition to knowing what wines they love. It helps with…context for other reviews maybe. Or perhaps its just nice to know every wine reviewed won’t be labeled five star regardless of quality? 

So on to the background: Cantine Colosi is a small family owned winery established in 1987. The winery has 24 acres of vineyard, and is located on the island of Salina. The winery produces traditional Sicilian wines. Though the winery is small and not particularly well known within the global wine world, they do produce interesting wines. Today’s wine Sicilia Bianco is a white blend table wine. It is a blend of Grecanico and Inzolia grapes. 

Grecanico is a white wine grape planted in Italy. It is Italy’s 6th most planted white grape. Interestingly enough Grecanico is actually genetically identical to another Italian white grape, Garganega. These grapes produce a more acidic wine, and often notes of lemon, almond, and spice. 

Inzolia is also known as Ansonica. It is also a white Italian grape and is planted primarily in Sicily. It can be used to produce Marsala wines. It is known for a nutty scent. 

2011 Cantine Colosi Sicilia Bianco, is a pale yellow wine, it is in fact frequently described as straw colored. I personally think it has a greenish cast to it as well, but I can’t 100% decide if that is because of the coloring of the label, the light I was in, or the wine itself. Apple and lemon are faintly present in the wine. I would describe the dominant characteristic as acidic. 

I don’t have a link for you on this one, wine.com doesn’t appear to have it available, however the wine generally retails for $10 and under for a bottle, so if you’re interested despite my two star comment it shouldn’t be outrageously priced locally.