Arianna Occhipinti, Frappato, Vino di Contrada "BB" Terre Siciliane IGT, Italy 2022

100% Frappato. The three different wines in this limited-production run are all Frappato, vinified and aged identically to demonstrate the distinctions amongst the three different contrade or districts. Contrada names are not permitted on Sicilian wine labels, so each name is represented by a two-letter abbrevation — "BB" for Bomboliere, "PT" for Pettineo and "FL" for Fossa di Lupo — with each being cheekily struck through with a line to emphasize their illicitness.

BB (Bombolieri): This home parcel is adjacent to the winery and the last of the three to be harvested. It consists of a few rows of 25-year-old, bush-trained (aka alberello) vines on a scant 25 centimeters of sandy white topsoil over pure limestone rock with almost no clay. The limestone holds water, slows down ripening and contributes a firm acidity and structure. Arianna finds it to be the most austere of the trio.

The farming is certified-organic with biodynamic practices. Harvest is by hand. The bunches are mostly destemmed with the berries left whole. Fermentation is spontaneous with native yeasts in 20-hectoliter concrete tanks with a maceration of  2-3 weeks and occasional punchdowns. The wines are aged in concrete for about 22 months and bottled without fining or filtration. Sulfur use is minimal. 

Arianna is the niece of Giusto Occhpinti, whose COS wines are undisputedly amongst the very best of Sicily. Today, Arianna Occhipinti has become a seminal figure for a new generation of wine lovers. Her rise to prominence has been meteoric, and rightfully so.