Grillo 'Terebinto' Planeta 2023

“Terebinto” Planeta is yet another confirmation of the Sicilian DNA of this winery, which is undoubtedly among the leading representatives of the island's wine not only in Italy but worldwide. The label features the drawing of the terebinth, an emblematic shrub of Sicily and the Mediterranean regions, telling its story: it grows on rocky soils and thus resembles the vine, which always manages to adapt to even extreme conditions. This bottle was created in 2016 at the Ulmo estate in Menfi, the first opened by Planeta, which still represents the origin of this winery that has a total of 372 hectares of vineyards in six different areas.

Planeta “Terebinto” is a pure Grillo, from grapes harvested from the Gurra vineyard, 75 meters above sea level, within the Ulmo estate, which covers 250 hectares and features calcareous and very clayey soil. Harvesting takes place in mid-September, and the grapes are destemmed and crushed before undergoing a gentle pressing. The must is left to settle and ferment at a constant temperature of 15°C. After this phase, it remains to refine on the fine lees for 6 months in steel tanks, with continuous batonnage that keeps the lees in suspension.

The Grillo “Terebinto” by Planeta reveals itself in the glass with its rather pale straw yellow color that has bright greenish reflections. The olfactory analysis reveals the aromatic intensity of the Grillo, with notes of yellow-fleshed fruits such as apricots, medlar, and peaches, intertwined with other notes more related to citrus. Floral scents enrich the bouquet, especially with nuances of wildflowers. For a white wine, it certainly has a strong character; on the palate, it is warm and soft, and the same fruity nuances we sensed earlier are present. This wine is definitely enhanced when paired with fish, even raw, or with vegetables in pinzimonio and fresh cheeses.