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Alastro wine — Ulmo winery — Dionysus
WhiteMenfiDOC

Alastro

by Ulmo · Sicily, Italy

AppellationMenfiDOC
TypeWhite
Grapes85% Grecanico, 15% Sauvignon Blanc
VineyardUlmo vineyard, Sambuca di Sicilia (AG)
LineUlmo
Vintages2025
UlmoSicily, Italy

About this wine

Vineyard and terroir

Alastro comes from the Ulmo vineyard in Sambuca di Sicilia (AG), at 200–250 m above sea level. The moderately deep, medium-textured soils contain abundant pebbles in the lower layers and are generally calcareous, with sections of darker soil rich in plant matter.

The vines are trained on espalier systems and Guyot-pruned. Planting density is 3,800–4,545 Grecanico vines per hectare and 5,050 Sauvignon Blanc vines per hectare. Yields are 100 quintals/ha for Grecanico and 80 quintals/ha for Sauvignon Blanc.

The vineyard follows organic-farming criteria and the SOStain® protocol. Clover, vetch, yellow mustard and spontaneous vegetation are maintained as ground cover to increase organic matter and nitrogen and support soil microfauna. Plant health is managed with small amounts of sulphur and copper, while beneficial insects, sexual-confusion techniques, zeolite, kaolin and plant extracts are used against pests. The wine carries Organic Wine and SOStain® certification.

Grapes

85% Grecanico and 15% Sauvignon Blanc. Grecanico provides the foundation of the blend, complemented by the aromatic character of Sauvignon Blanc.

Vinification

For the 2025 vintage, the grapes were harvested by hand at different times between 11 August and 10 September and taken immediately to the winery. After crushing and destemming, the refrigerated must remained with all its lees at 3–5°C for 4–5 days. The clear fraction was then racked and fermented at approximately 14°C for 18–20 days in stainless-steel tanks holding 103 or 235 hL. Around 10 days after fermentation, the wine was racked again and left on its finest lees with weekly stirring before bottling.

Ageing

Maturation takes place in stainless steel. The 2025 vintage was bottled in December 2025.

Technical data

The 2025 wine has 12.5% alcohol, total acidity of 5.85 g/L and a pH of 3.35. It is presented in a 0.75 L Centopercento Sicilia bottle made from recycled and remanufactured Sicilian glass; the bottle weighs 410 g. Listed closures are single-piece natural cork, DIAM® and NORMACORC®.

Tasting profile

Very pale yellow with green highlights, suggesting vitality and ageing capacity. The aromatic profile combines mountain herbs, yellow flowers, French honeysuckle honey, Williams pear and freshly cut hay over a citrus background, with nuances of saffron, rose water and flint. The palate is fresh and smooth, with a creamy, silky texture and white-peach notes. The wine is delicately structured.

Serving and pairing

The interplay of savoury and sweet sensations gives Alastro broad gastronomic versatility. It can be served as an aperitif or paired with warm seafood salad, spicy Asian dishes with sweet-and-sour sauce, Mediterranean pasta and other first courses, and vegetarian cuisine. It may be enjoyed immediately or cellared for 4–5 years.

Vintage notes

The 2025 Menfi harvest was good overall and particularly successful in higher vineyards. Ulmo, Monte Cirami and Maroccoli benefited from cool soils and nearby woods and Mediterranean scrub, encouraging complete, harmonious ripening and balance between quality and quantity. Conditions were especially favourable for Sauvignon Blanc.

Label / history

Alastro takes its name from a wild flower growing around the winery. Produced since its inaugural 1995 vintage, it is one of the longstanding wines of the estate.