A Casual Wine Tasting and Food Pairing With Cantine Settesoli from Sicily

I recently was invited to taste a flight of wines from Sicily and have them paired with a variety of Italian street foods.  The venue was Bar Corso on Commercial Drive.  The setting was casual with the wines poured in a leisurely manner and the Italian appies coming by quickly, giving us a good chance to try all the wines together with their suggested food pairings.  We had Andrea di Fabio, the Marketing Director at Cantine Settesoli to talk to us about their wines.

About Cantine Settesoli

The winery, Cantine Settesoli, is a cooperative of 2,000 members and produces the widest variety of grapes in Sicily—35 cultivars—on 6,000 hectares of vineyards, 7% of the island’s total vineyard area; more than 1,000 hectares are cultivated organically.  Annual production is 20 million bottles, with exports accounting for 55% of bottled wine sales, reaching more than 44 countries. 70% of the 5,000 families in the Terre Sicane District, in the province of Agrigento, are involved in various ways in the company’s activities, cultivating vineyards and building the future of wine from Sicily to the world. Production includes both native varietals such as Grecanico, Grillo, and Nero d’Avola, as well as international varieties such as Merlot, Syrah, and Chardonnay.

They have two tiers of wines.  Four of their wines were from their Cantine Settesoli tier and two were from their higher level, called Mandrarossa.  From the winery, “Mandrarossa is a range of 100% Sicilian wines and an authentic expression of the island’s biodiversity. Launched in 1999, the line is the result of a twenty-year study to individualise the best combination of varietal/terroir: i.e. find the ideal habitat and conditions to ensure that each grape variety can express its full potential. This constant research and study of the mapping of the soil, which continues to light the way for innovative Sicilian wines, has resulted in the establishment of five experimental fields, where we monitor the behaviour of a wide  variety of vines. This experimentation is followed up with intensive micro-wine production activities which, over time, have led to the introduction of a number of new wines, some of which are unique on the Sicilian panorama.”  The two Mandrarossa wines did taste much different and were fuller bodied compared to the other wines.

Sustainability at Cantine Settesoli

Cantine Settesoli views sustainability not merely as an ethical imperative but as a “key driver of innovation and value creation” for its company, wines, and stakeholders. This commitment is deeply integrated into all management levels, supported by a dedicated quality team. Their comprehensive approach to sustainability is quantifiable, encompassing ecological footprint analysis (water, territory exploitation, waste, CO2 emissions), a robust set of international and industry-specific certifications, and active participation in the regional SOSTAIN project, which aims to promote ethical and sustainable development in the Sicilian wine sector. The company emphasizes transparency, continuous improvement, and a life-cycle approach to environmental management.

The Terroir of Coastal Sicily

• Soil Composition: The primary soil type in their area is calcareous, featuring a mix of limestone and sand. Their soil is not volcanic as the winery is located approximately 300 kilometres from the nearest volcano, Mt. Etna, a significant distance that differentiates its soil profile from that of other prominent Sicilian wine regions.
• Maritime Influence: Situated just five kilometres from the ocean, their vineyards are heavily influenced by the sea. The persistent sea breeze moderates the climate and imparts a distinct “sapidity” and freshness to the wines, a hallmark of their coastal origin.
• Viticultural Profile: The vineyards consist of a mix of mature and established plantings, with vine ages ranging from 20 to 60 years old, which contributes to the complexity and consistency of the fruit.

My Wine Tasting Notes

Cantine Settesoli Chardonnay 2024 – it has a nice citrus nose.  Dry, medium-minus body with bright acidity.  Fresh stone fruit aromas along with floral and citrus on the finish.  I also picked up the sapidity on this wine.  A touch peppery.

Cantine Settesoli Grillo 2024 – light stone fruit nose.  Medium body with a round, soft mouthfeel.  Medium-plus acidity.  Fresh stone fruit flavours.  A pleasant acidic prickle is left on your tongue.  Medium-plus length. –

Cantine Settesoli Grillo Mandrarossa 2024 –  medium intensity citrus / lime aromas in the glass.  Dry, medium-plus body, lean mouthfeel, with higher acidity that leaves a prickle in your tongue.  More prominent citrus / lime flavour on the palate. –

Cantine Settesoli Syrah 2024 – a deeper, clear garnet colour.  Lighter aromas of cherries and some meatiness.  Dry, medium-lus body with a smooth mouthfeel.  Strong flavours of raspberries and blackberries, along with a touch of candied cherries.  Also quite peppery.  Medium acidity and light tannins.  Medium-plus length with raspberries and cherries on the finish. –

Cantine Settesoli Syrah Mandrarossa 2024 – clear, medium garnet colour.  Light red fruit and meaty aromas.  This wine is dry, medium bodied with a lean mouthfeel.  Fresh red fruit along with light oak and pepperiness.  Medium-plus acidity and firmer tannins. –

Cantine Settesoli Nerello Mascalese 2024 – a medium intensity, translucent garnet colour in the glass. Very light cherry aroma.  Dry, light body with a smooth mouthfeel. Floral and red fruit flavours.  Medium-plus acidity and light tannins. –

Italian Street Food