The Grillo
Grape
A white grape variety indigenous to Sicily, Italy, Grillo is known for producing crisp, refreshing wines with a robust structure, offering flavors of lemon, peach, and herbs, along with a saline minerality. It is the backbone of Marsala wine but is also celebrated as a varietal wine for its aromatic intensity and versatility.
Grillo
Grape History
The Grillo grape is a white wine grape variety primarily grown in the Sicily region of Italy. This grape has a rich and intriguing history that dates back to the 19th century. Grillo is believed to be a natural cross between the Catarratto and Zibibbo grape varieties. It is known for its ability to thrive in hot, arid climates, making it well-suited for the Mediterranean climate of Sicily.
Grillo has traditionally been used in the production of Marsala wine, a fortified wine that originated in Sicily. Marsala wine is known for its complex flavors and versatility, making it a popular choice for cooking and as an aperitif. In recent years, Grillo has gained recognition as a standalone varietal, producing crisp and aromatic wines with notes of citrus, apple, and herbs.
Grillo is typically used to produce dry white wines, ranging from light and refreshing to more full-bodied and complex styles. The wine is often consumed young to preserve its fresh and fruity character, although some producers also age their Grillo wines in oak barrels to add depth and complexity.
Sicily is the primary region where Grillo is grown, with vineyards located in the provinces of Trapani, Palermo, and Agrigento. The warm climate and mineral-rich soils of Sicily contribute to the grape's unique characteristics and flavor profile. Additionally, Grillo has also been planted in other wine regions around the world, including Australia and California, where it is gaining popularity among winemakers.
As consumer interest in unique and indigenous grape varieties grows, Grillo has the potential to become a more prominent player in the global wine market. Its versatility and ability to produce high-quality wines make it a promising grape variety for both traditional and innovative winemaking practices. With increasing demand for lesser-known grape varieties and wines that reflect a sense of place, Grillo is poised to continue its rise in popularity in the coming years.
Overall, Grillo is a grape with a fascinating history, unique characteristics, and a promising future in the world of wine. Its ability to produce diverse styles of wine and thrive in various climates makes it a versatile and valuable grape variety that is sure to captivate wine enthusiasts for years to come.
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