Shalai Moscato Spumante

Shalai Moscato Spumante

Producer: Vinisola

Region: Pantelleria (Aeolian Islands)

Variety: 100% Zibbibo (Moscato di Alessandria)

Vintage: 2024

Vinification Manual harvest of the grapes in crates, destemming, temperature-controlled maceration at 20 °C for 24 to 72 hours, gentle pressing and first fermentation in steel silos. The wine is then transferred to an autoclave. Second fermentation: Second fermentation in an autoclave. Aging/Refinement: In an autoclave for 6 months

Anecdote: The goddess Tanit replaced ambrosia with the sweet and sour juice of Zibibbo grapes to seduce Apollo. Today, as then, from the best Zibibbo grapes, partly by drying the grapes in the sun, Arbaria is created, a meditation wine with a velvety, aromatic and sweet taste.

Color: Straw yellow, more or less intense, with pastel green reflections

 Aroma: Characteristic of Zibibbo grapes: Mediterranean flowers, citrus fruits, notes of white peach and sage

Taste: Sweet, aromatic, savory with a full, persistent aftertaste and a pleasant finish and of grilled bread.

 Dish combinations : Starters with raw fish and raw vegetables, perfect with oysters and a perfect match with desserts.

Serving temperature:  8C°

Durability: until 2027

Francesco Rizzo is the “Godfather” of the Zibbibo grape, with 70-year-old vines that automatically lead to more complex rich wines.

Comments and Scores Ian D’Agata:  94/100

Bright golden-tinged straw yellow. Ripe sweet orchard fruit and vanilla on the nose and in the mouth. Creamy and ripe yet lifted, with even better precision and energy than is usual for this wine. Outstanding demi-sec bubbly that is not especially sweet: it will prove evry versatile at the dining table, not just with almond cookies and biscotti in general, with fruit salads, desserts such as millefoglie and fruit cakes, but also savoury shellfish dishes and cheese. Strikes me as the best bottle of Shalai I have had in some time. Drinking window : 2024-2027