Contrada Zisola
Catarratto Terre Siciliane IGT
€46,00
Robert Parker
92 Pts
James Suckling
91 Pts
One of the first iconic Sicilian wines
2023
2022
2021
Technical sheet
|
Winery Zisola |
Winery location Contrada Zisola - Noto, Sicilia |
Grape varieties Catarratto |
Alcohol 11.95% |
|
Total acidity 6.85% |
Vineyards location 130 m.a.l.m.; S/E exposure |
Soil Medium texture, calcareous and mineral |
Training system Hand-pruned bush vines |
|
Nr. of vines per hectare 5.550 |
Harvest Hand picked from September 5th and 13th |
Vinification 50% on the skins in "cocciopesto" amphora for 3 months; 50% typical white wine vinification "sur lies" |
Fermentation temperature At low temperature (15°C) |
|
Bottling October 2024 |
Available on the market April 2025 |
Production 6.400 bottles |
Formats 750 ml - 1,5 lt |
|
First vintage 2021 |
.Pdf
Download Contrada_Zisola_2023_ENG_6064b717-8805-4726-9d1e-4800df314bb5
Download Contrada_Zisola_2023_ITA_2b2fcabd-5eda-4d2c-b261-6c49be4a47ca
Harvest
Slightly above average temperatures were recorded in December and January, but these were offset by cold weather and abundant rainfall in February. Throughout Sicily, spring was characterised by frequent rainfall, with accumulations in May well above historical averages for the period. The vineyards' position between the Hyblean Mountains and the sea meant they benefited from constant currents that considerably reduced leaf wetting. The rains created an excellent water reserve, allowing for constant and homogeneous bunch growth. During the summer, two heatwaves with maximum temperatures exceeding 40 °C were recorded in the third week of July and the first week of August. The veraison phase of the bunches was slightly delayed by these temperatures, but vegetative development returned to normal in the first week of September thanks to the lower temperatures and the abundant rainfall, which was unusual for the period. These conditions led to the grapes achieving excellent phenolic and aromatic ripening. In terms of quantity, there was a modest decrease compared to the company average for both white and red grapes.
Beginning of the harvest: August 86th, 2023
End of the harvest: September 30th, 2023
Rainfall Index (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 171 mm
Temperatures Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4.144 °C
Technical sheet
|
Winery Zisola |
Winery location Contrada Zisola - Noto, Sicilia |
Grape varieties Catarratto |
Alcohol 13% |
|
Total acidity 7.3% |
Vineyards location 130 m.a.l.m.; S/E exposure |
Soil Medium texture, calcareous and mineral |
Training system Hand-pruned bush vines |
|
Nr. of vines per hectare 5.550 |
Harvest Hand picked from August 15th |
Vinification 50% on the skins in "cocciopesto" amphora for 3 months; 50% typical white wine vinification "sur lies" |
Fermentation temperature At low temperature (15°C) |
|
Bottling October 2023 |
Available on the market March 2024 |
Production 6.000 bottles |
Formats 750 ml - 1,5 lt |
|
First vintage 2021 |
.Pdf
Download Contrada_Zisola_2022_ITA
Download Contrada_Zisola_2022_ENG
Awards
Falstaff 94 Pts | Wine Advocate 93 Pts |
Harvest
The winter was characterised by below average temperatures, with some frosts and low levels of rainfall, which laid down the basis for good plant health conditions.
The vegetative awakening and fruit-setting stages benefitted from the mild spring temperatures, which ended in May with the arrival of a series of heat waves.
The summer was extremely anomalous by Sicilian standards, with peak temperatures over 40°C, but with sudden and substantial temperature changes, and light rainfall in September, that delayed the harvest by 10 days, with respect to previous years.
The result of the harvest is most satisfactory, yielding a production of elegant wines, in line with the company’s research.
Beginning of the harvest: August 26th, 2022
End of the harvest: October 5th, 2022
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 183 mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4.299 °C
Evaluation: Good
Technical sheet
|
Winery Zisola |
Winery location Contrada Zisola - Noto, Sicilia |
Grape varieties Catarratto |
Alcohol 12% |
|
Total acidity 9.41% |
Vineyards location 130 m.a.l.m.; S/E exposure |
Soil Medium texture, calcareous and mineral |
Training system Hand-pruned bush vines |
|
Nr. of vines per hectare 5.550 |
Harvest Hand picked from August 15th |
Vinification 50% on the skins in "cocciopesto" amphora for 3 months; 50% typical white wine vinification "sur lies" |
Fermentation temperature At low temperature (15°C) |
|
Bottling July 2022 |
Available on the market March 2023 |
Production 7.500 bottles |
Formats 750 ml - 1,5 lt |
|
First vintage 2021 |
.Pdf
Download Contrada_Zisola_2021_ITA
Download Contrada_Zisola_2021_ENG
Awards
Robert Parker 92 Pts | Falstaff 95 Pts |
Harvest
The hot, dry summer contributed to delaying the harvest until September, with much milder temperatures and better air quality, thanks to some long-awaited and much-needed rainfall.
In terms of the climate and wine results, it is very reminiscent of the unequivocal 2014 vintage. Very elegant wines obtained with extremely impressive structure and good body. A balance achieved over the years through the confluence of plant soil and climate, also evolves in 2021 heralding plenty of satisfaction.
Beginning of the harvest: August 26th, 2021
End of the harvest: October 5th, 2021
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 83 mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4.286 °C
Evaluation: Very Good
Made in Italy | Allergens: contains sulphites
100% Catarratto
Catarratto variety, the most widespread white grape in Sicily, hase been present on the territory since ancient times and becomes now protagonist at Zisola with Contrada Zisola, a 100% Catarratto wherewith the Mazzei family continues its goal of enhancing indigenous grape varieties of Sicily. In a region historically renowned for its red wines, Contrada Zisola is both deeply identity-driven and courageously innovative: a white gem that shines in a land of reds.
Structure and longevity
The passion for this land has encouraged us to acquire a deep knowledge of the micro climate, the resources availability, soil characteristics and biological complexity of each parcel.
This uniqueness is enhanced thanks to a sartorial work in the vineyard.
We pay the same attention to each harvest and each wine of the estate which expresses an original and true interpretation of great potentiality of the various grape in this corner of Sicily.