Arianna Occhipinti is from the Vittoria region of Southern Sicily. She has been making wine for ten years under the tutelage of her uncle, Giusto Occhipinti, who owns the well-known winery COS. She produces first rate wines from biodynamically grown local varieties such as Nero d’Avola and Frappato. In her mid-20s, Arianna already seems to know exactly what she wants to do with her life. She is the sort of driven young winemaker who is bound to be become an important figure in Sicilian wine.
Frappato is a local Sicilian red grape variety that always seems to yield wines loaded with fresh raspberry aromatics. Arianna’s Frappato is already legendary — and that status is very well deserved. The SP68 is a blend of Frappato and Nero di Avola. The SP68 name comes from a highway near Arianna’s home town of Vittoria.
Bright ruby in color. Focused aromatics of raspberry, cherry and garrigue. On the palate, sour black cherry and rasberry with stony earth and a little twizzler. Great depth, purity and balance. Reminded me of a Gamay with a little extra meatiness. Very approachable — certainly a serious wine, but a lot of fun to drink. A perfect summer wine to serve with a slight chill with BBQ or probably a great pairing with lamb.
12.5% alcohol. Imported by Louis/Dressner Selections. Strongly recommended.
Related post:
Arianna Occhipinti Il Frappato Sicilia IGT 2006
[...] Related post: Occhipinti SP68 Rosso Vittoria 2008 [...]
[...] Sicilia IGT 2006 Jean & Agnes Foillard — Morgon Cuvée Corcelette Vieille Vigne 2007 Occhipinti SP68 Rosso Vittoria 2008 Rhys Alesia Sonoma Coast Chileno Vally Pinot Noir 2006 (or any Pinot from Rhys) Passopisciaro [...]
I trust you would not mind if I placed a part of this on my univeristy blog?
Sure — feel free to do so…thanks!
Outstanding blog. You have earned a recent reader. Please maintain the superb work and I look forward to more of your gripping writings.
[...] bottiglie di Rosso Vittoria SP68 (strada provinciale 68), dell’Azienda Agricola Occhipinti e gentilmente mandatoci [...]
[...] Related posts: Arianna Occhipinti Il Frappato Sicilia IGT 2006 Occhipinti SP68 Rosso Vittoria 2008 [...]
Arianna – I am sure you do not remember us, but we met you when you were a small girl at your home in Sicily. We were visiting your family.
Our son sent us the article on your wine and we would like to know if it is possible to find it here in the U.S.? We live in Arizona, our son is just moving to Florida and our Daughter lives in the San Diego area of California.
Please give our best wishes to your family. We hope they are all in good health and congratulations to you for your success.
Constantine and Anita Occhipinti
I will pass you message along to Arianna. Not sure if you can get her wines in AZ, but 20-20 Wine Merchants and Wine House in LA carry them — and can always get them from the good folks at Chambers Street Wines in NY.