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Russu Terre Siciliane IGT wine — Giovanni Sallemi winery — Dionysus
Red

Russu Terre Siciliane IGT

by Giovanni Sallemi · Sicily, Italy

TypeRed
GrapesNero d'Avola
Alcohol12.0%
SweetnessDry
ColourRed
Colour depthDeep
BodyMedium-bodied
Serve at16–18 °C
Keeps for5–8 years
Bottled in0.75 l
FarmingNatural wine ·VinNatur ↗
Certified organic winery ·Suolo e Salute
Giovanni SallemiSicily, Italy

About this wine

Vineyard and terroir

The vineyards lie on Sicily's west coast, on elevated ground overlooking the sea. The soils are sandy clay, which gives the wine its distinctive freshness and a light mineral note.

Vinification

The winemaking follows an old tradition passed down through generations. The skins stay in moderate contact with the fermenting must for around 36 hours in a concrete tank. The wine is then pressed gently in a manual screw press to preserve the original aromas and flavours.

Ageing

The 2018 was aged for 3 years in a steel tank. It received no treatment before bottling, so any sediment is a natural result of this process.

Tasting profile

The wine smells and tastes of a freshly picked bunch of ripe black grapes. It has distinctive freshness and a light mineral note.

Vintage notes

2018: a mild winter was followed by a long, warm summer. The grapes ripened while keeping their natural acidity.

Label / history

"Russu" means "red" in the Sicilian dialect. It refers both to the wine's deep colour and to the passion Giovanni Sallemi brings to winemaking.