An authentically Sicilian sparkling wine
SAINT GERMAIN
IGT Terre Siciliane
Grillo and Catarratto
Saint Germain is Firriato’s brut sparkling wine, coming from a blend of Catarratto and Grillo. These two native white grape vine varieties have contributed to Sicily’s oenological success, enabling them to enter onto the world stage for quality winemaking. The name derives from 18th century France, but it is a wholly Sicilian wine coming from the fertile land of the Trapani countryside. Saint Germain is grown on the Borgo Guarini Estate in a unique agricultural environment and, through Firriato’s innovative farming style, fully conveys all the ampelographic complexity of this stretch of Trapani countryside. Freshness and minerality seamlessly unite thanks to the sparkling process using the Charmat method, which enhances the interweaving aromatic and fragrant properties of the two varietals, giving a vivacious and extremely drinkable wine.
Saint Germain is Firriato’s brut sparkling wine, coming from a blend of Catarratto and Grillo. These two native white grape vine varieties have contributed to Sicily’s oenological success, enabling them to enter onto the world stage for quality winemaking. The name derives from 18th century France, but it is a wholly Sicilian wine coming from the fertile land of the Trapani countryside.
- Appellation: IGT Terre Siciliane
- Vine: Grillo Catarratto
- Terroir: hilly
- Soil: mid-texture, mostly clayey
- Exposure: west (250 mt. a.s.l)
Production Area
Borgo Guarini
Borgo Guarini has the scent of Sicily, an enchanting location where time passes at an indefinite pace, slow like the natural changing of the seasons. Immersed in the Mediterranean scrub the Borgo bears witness to the area’s farming tradition inexorably linked to the earth.
Saint Germain
A joyous bead and vibrant pleasure
The Count of Saint Germain is cited in the memoirs of Casanova and Giuseppe Balsamo (the Count of Cagliostro). He lived his legendary life in the courts of Paris and London, from Germany to Tibet. At the time it was believed that he had discovered the secret of the philosopher’s stone and for this reason he would never age. We like to imagine we can commemorate him with a glass of Saint Germain brut in hand in the company of our loved ones, staying young, if not in age, then at least at heart.
SAINT GERMAIN
The characteristics of vintages
2017
Mild winter with appropriate moderate rainfalls and mild spring eased the regular vegetative process of the vines. Fortunately the lacking of precipitations over the springtime and the heat wave of the first part of June did not make plants undergo water stress. Among July and August temperature reached very high level compared to typical seasonal average. Although this heat wave , the temperature fluctuations eased a good aromatic maturation of the grapes that had been harvested almost a week before but with a drop of production by 25%.%. Vintage 2017 climate conditions positively influenced native white grapes as the Catarratto. The hilly Grillo vine succed a lot in the Borgo Guarini Estate compared to the same vine growing in other parts of Sicily. The high quality of these Grillo grapes growing on the hill depends on the suitable climate and soil conditions belonging to the complex and particular characteriscics of the Borgo Guarini estate.
2016
The summer season 2016 has been characterised by mild cimate, few rainfalls without excessive heat. After a winter characterised by few rainfalls, spring season began with cool temperatures lasted over flowering until the months of May and June when spring concluded with some rainfalls.These climatic conditions fostered a great vine life-cycle in the vineyard.
2015
Very complex in terms of weather, the heat and rain Fall 2014 resulted in the appearance of a significantly reduced spontaneous sward and characterized by the presence of species microthermal (those that adapt and grow at low temperatures). In late they turn out to be the most wild and cultivated plants seed. The start of winter was cold, with the strong reduction of sporigen due to the Spring 2014 greatly damp.
2014
It was an unforgettable vintage thanks largely to an almost uniform and very balanced climate, the spring was rightly rainy with cool summer which favoured ripening slow and gradual. There is talk of ” a summer without Scirocco wind”, July is spent without excessive heat. Parallel there were recorded temperature day/night very marked in all companies Firriato which helped the development of aromas and flavours.
2013
The year showed to be fruitful. Either regarding the quantity, and definitely regarding the quality “very interesting wines regarding the aromatic profile” had been obtained. Because of the climate, the harvest lasted till the last week of September. The year 2013 gave a slower harvest and then a gradual maturation.
Harvest time: August 5th
2012
August was an important time for the hand picking of grapes from the autochthonous Grillo and Catarratto vines on the Borgo Guarini estate, which reached full ripeness thanks to the favourable soil and climate conditions. 2012 saw a winter that was not too harsh, with scarce rainfall, a humid spring and a muggy and sunny summer.
Paired with
Egadi Island Raw Seafood Platter
Cut up the swordfish finely to make the tartare and marinate with oil, salt, and lemon. Leave to rest for a couple of hours. Cut the amberjack into extremely thin slices carpaccio style. Remove the heads and shells from the prawns. Cut along their backs and pull out the intestines. Rinse thoroughly.
