Wines from Sicily: Valle dell'Acate – Frappato

In this video, Francesco Ferreri dell'Anguilla, manager of Valle dell' Acate as well as president of the Consorzio di Tutela del Vino Cerasuolo di Vittoria, describes the frappato grape. The grape is believed to be a cross between several grapes, including sangiovese, but its existence in the Vittoria area dates back to the mid-1700s.

Frappato is generally not the dominant grape in Cerasuolo blends, with nero d'avola taking the lead role. However, frappato is pivotal in giving Cerasuolo that unique ethereal and fruity quality. In fact, as mentioned previously, Cerasuolo literally means "cherry-like" in Italian and this attribute is definitely linked to frappato rather than the darker-fruit oriented nero d'avola.

But frappato is also beautiful on its own, making approachable reds that, while remaining fresh and delicate, have depth and exoticism. Sometimes reminiscent of a lightweight version of a nebbiolo, it is a great summer wine, best served slightly chilled.

-JGAL