2018 Di Bella 'Esperides' Rosè dello Jato Terre Siciliane

Region: Sicily > Italy

Grape:Nero d'Avola

Vineyard/cellar Stats: Organic farming, high altitude vineyards on clay soils; grapes are gently pressed and the juice is macerated on the skins for just 2 hours before fermentation in stainless steel, then matured for 5-6 months in steel and 2 months in bottle; 12.5% ABV

Winemaker: Sebastiano Di Bella

Sicily -- the largest island in the Mediterranean -- boasts a dramatic and diverse landscape, with Europe's most active volcano and endless shoreline. It's a complex and layered culture formed by centuries of outside invasion, with the Greeks, Phoenicians, Arabs and Italians all having left their footprints on the island.  Despite its deep and textured history, Sicily still feels mostly untouched by tourism, a bit untamed.  Just like its wines, which vary wildly from region to region, because the terroir of the island is so diverse.

The Di Bella estate, located in the Jato Valley, in Sicily's northwest, is run by Sebastiano Di Bella, an ardent believer in organic farming. He uses only 'green manure' in the vineyard, which means  growing leguminous plants (e.g., beans, lentils, chickpeas, etc.) which provide nitrogen to vines as they are tilled into the soil. and intersperses fruit trees (figs, almonds, apricots, carobs) throughout, because he knows biodiversity improves the health of the vineyard.  His work in the cellar is equally thoughtful, which shows in this gorgeous pale pink rosato.

Made from Sicily's ubiquitous Nero d'Avola grape, this pretty baby is rocks a pale rose gold shade, but offers surprising complexity on the palate.  You get bright cherry and pomegranate with savory watermelon and cantaloupe on a salty, structured backbone.  A perfect glass of pink to welcome spring.