The Frappato
Grape
A red grape variety native to Sicily, Italy, Frappato is known for producing light-bodied, aromatic wines with a distinct profile of fresh red fruits, such as strawberries and cherries, and floral notes. It is often blended with Nero d'Avola in the Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, adding brightness and fragrance.
Frappato
Grape History
Frappato is a red wine grape variety native to Sicily, Italy. This ancient grape has a long and storied history, dating back to ancient times when it was highly prized by the Greeks and later cultivated by the Romans. The name "Frappato" is said to be derived from the Italian word "frappare," which means to shake or agitate, possibly referring to the fragile nature of the grape clusters.
Frappato is known for producing elegant, aromatic wines with bright red fruit flavors and a refreshing acidity. It is often used as a blending grape in the production of Cerasuolo di Vittoria, a renowned Sicilian red wine made from a blend of Frappato and Nero d'Avola grapes. Frappato adds a touch of complexity and freshness to the blend, balancing out the richer, earthier flavors of Nero d'Avola.
Frappato is primarily grown in the southeastern region of Sicily, particularly in the area around Vittoria. The warm Mediterranean climate of Sicily, with its hot days and cool nights, is ideal for growing Frappato grapes, allowing them to fully ripen while retaining their natural acidity.
In recent years, Frappato has gained popularity among wine enthusiasts and critics for its unique character and versatility. Winemakers are increasingly producing single-variety Frappato wines to showcase its elegant profile and distinctive flavors. These wines are often described as light-bodied, with notes of cherry, raspberry, and floral undertones.
The future of Frappato looks promising, as more producers recognize the potential of this grape and its ability to express the terroir of Sicily. As consumer interest in unique and lesser-known grape varieties continues to grow, Frappato is likely to become more widely appreciated both in Italy and on the international wine scene.
Overall, Frappato is a grape with a rich history, a bright future, and a unique flavor profile that sets it apart from other varieties. Its inclusion in blends such as Cerasuolo di Vittoria has cemented its status as one of Sicily's most important indigenous grape varieties, and its rising popularity in single-variety wines indicates that it is a grape to watch in the world of wine.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel