Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
Cometa is produced at the Ulmo winery from the Gurra and Dispensa vineyards in Menfi (AG). Dispensa lies at 75 m above sea level and has moderately deep soil tending to chalkiness, with scant to almost absent coarse material and moderate lime. Gurra is at 35 m; its moderately deep soil has little lime, no coarse material and a strongly chalky character. The tasting profile also describes the vineyard soils more broadly as clay-limestone.
The vines are trained on an espalier with Guyot pruning, at a density of 4,545 plants per hectare. Yield is 70 quintals per hectare, equivalent to 7,000 kg/ha.
Viticulture follows organic-agriculture criteria and the SOStain® protocol. Beans, vetch and spontaneous vegetation provide ground cover, increasing organic matter and nitrogen while supporting soil microfauna. Vine health is managed with minimal quantities of sulphur and copper. Beneficial insects, mating disruption and natural products including zeolite, kaolin and plant extracts are used against vineyard pests. The wine carries organic and SOStain® certification.
Grapes
100% Fiano. The project began with experiments conducted during the 1990s with this ancient variety of Campanian origin. Cometa's first vintage was 2000.
Vinification
For the 2024 vintage, the harvest period is printed as “13rd–10th September.” Grapes are picked by hand into 15 kg crates and cooled to approximately 12–13 °C. They are subsequently destemmed, crushed and softly pressed. Static settling takes place in stainless steel at 6–7 °C.
The clear must is racked and fermented for 12–14 days at approximately 14–15 °C. Stainless-steel tanks receive 90% of the must, while the remaining 10% ferments in 36 hl oak barrels. Once fermentation is complete, the vessels are topped with the same wine.
Ageing
The wine initially rests on its primary lees with weekly bâtonnage or mechanical stirring. In February, after approximately four months, it is racked away from the coarse lees and retained on the finer lees, again with weekly stirring. It is then blended and prepared for bottling.
Maturation uses stainless steel, 36 hl Allier oak barrels and tonneaux. The stated bottling date is April 2024.
Technical data
- Vintage: 2024
- Alcohol: 13.5% vol.
- Total acidity: 5 g/L
- pH: 3.36
- Bottle: 750 ml
- Bottle weight: 750 g
- Closure: single-piece natural cork
- Certification: organic wine and SOStain®
- Ageing capacity: ready to drink or suitable for ageing for up to 15 years
Tasting profile
The clay-limestone origin accentuates Fiano's Mediterranean scrub character. Broom flower and thyme lead into walnut husk, chamomile, hay, mango and pomelo. The palate is mineral and marked by vibrant salinity, initially fresh and thirst-quenching before becoming slower, rounder and more harmonious. The finish is silky, with lingering ripe apricot, almond blossom and basil leaf.
Serving and pairing
Pair with raw vegetables or seafood, swordfish, land- or sea-inspired risottos, ravioli, oily fish and white meat.
Vintage notes
The 2024 Sicilian harvest was distinguished by low production but excellent quality. At Menfi, the bright, summery season produced particularly defined and balanced white wines. Dry conditions favoured organic vineyard management, yielding healthy grapes described as requiring no human intervention.
Label / history
Cometa grew out of the ambition to produce a Sicilian white capable of comparison with leading white wines internationally. Experiments with Fiano began during the 1990s, and the wine debuted with the 2000 vintage.
