Valdibella, Munir, Sicily, Italy

If we're slightly obsessed with Sicily, you'll have to forgive us. This latest arrival from the very wonderful Valdibella cooperative is only feeding our obsession. Valdibella is a group of 10 growers who have set up this Co operative project, they are all organic farmers at the very least but the purpose of the Co Op is to push all members towards biodiverse and regenerative agriculture. While the Valdibella coop's main focus is on wine they embrace polyculture, partly to enhance biodiversity in their environment, and produce food - pasta, flour, almonds, oil and vegetables- with produce from their members. 

Munir is an Arabic name meaning enlightened. Catarratto is native to Sicily, rarely found elsewhere, and so there are deep seated roots between Sicilian wine producers and the grape. 

The grapes are harvested by hand and collected in small baskets before being transported to the winery. There they are de-stemmed and crushed and the decanted must (grape juice) is added to the previous day's must. Fermentation kicks off with the native yeasts and takes about 20 days. The wine is aged in stainless steel over the winter before being bottled in the spring.

This wine is young and fresh and has a lightness that allows the Catarratto to really shine. With flavours of wild flower and citrus  with a long finish. Great to drink with olives, salty fish and salads.