The authentic flavour of untouched nature
Caeles
IGT Terre Siciliane
Cataratto
Caeles Cataratto is a wine that unites nature, respect for the local area, and quality together. After lengthy years of observation and experimentation, Firriato found the ideal location for the cultivation of Catarratto in the Borgo Guarini Estate. There the calcareous soils with their presence of clay and red marl are characterised by their reduced fertility and humidity. In the Catarratto vineyard, as in the rest of the estate, ground cover is provided by wild legume and cereal plants. This combination of soil and climate conditions and cultivation practices gives life to the certified organic Caeles Cataratto wine. It is a vivid example of organically produced wine, characterised by herbaceous hints with a good structure giving fruity tones of unspoilt nature.
Caeles Cataratto is a wine that unites nature, respect for the local area, and quality together. After lengthy years of observation and experimentation, Firriato found the ideal location for the cultivation of Catarratto in the Borgo Guarini Estate. There the calcareous soils with their presence of clay and red marl are characterised by their reduced fertility and humidity.
- Appellation: IGT Terre Siciliane
- Vine: Catarratto
- Terroir: Trapani countryside- Borgo guarini estate
- Soil: calcareous-clayey
- Exposure: south (350 mt. a.s.l)
Production Area
Borgo Guarini
The clayey earth of the Borgo Guarini Estate was chosen by Firriato for the organic cultivation of Catarratto grapes. The green manure technique using legumes has been adopted here, exploiting the exceptional nutrient properties of these plant organisms to enrich and improve the soil conditions.
CAELES CATARRATTO
A culture of love and respect for nature
Grapes produced in the Firriato Estates are cultivated according to the strict guidelines for organic farming. Since its foundation, Firriato has focussed on respecting nature, the local area and the environment—one of the fundamental objectives in the production of quality local wines. In place of the herbicides generally used in non-organic vineyards, only natural agents and microorganisms are employed. The wild grasses play a particular protective role as they represent an important resource for the grapes’ survival. They enrich the soil with nutrients necessary for the maturation of the fruit as well as hosting insects useful in the attack of eventual parasites. Firriato uses this measure in its land dedicated to organic farming to protect the vines, ensuring a healthy and mature harvest, and above all to remain faithful to its organic farming project and the qualitative care of its new labels.
CAELES CATARRATTO
Organic: Wisdom and Sensitivity
The deep knowledge of biological life cycle of animals and plants and their interaction with the vine is the main milestone of Firriato’s production philosophy, which has been working according to organic certified standards from the foundation of the winery in 1984, in all its 380 ha covering 3 different Terroir.
An organic viticulture that has been officially certified in 2007, when the EU regulation of organic agriculture came into force, rewarding Firriato for its great remarkable commitment.
30-year-old commitment carried out by Firriato always respecting strict certified organic standards which rules not only include the obbligation to comply with specific technical requirements but also a deep knowledge of the agricultural ecosystem and all management aspects able to trigger positive synergies about vines biodiversity safeguard.
CAELES CATARRATTO
The characteristics of vintages
2022
“During 2022, thermal measurements highlighted constant uniformity thanks to a mild winter and the absence of frosts in spring. Winter rainfall made the soils softer and replenished water reserves, while a sunny summer with reduced humidity prevented the spread of major vine diseases, such as downy mildew and powdery mildew.
2021
The 2021 vintage in the Trapani countryside was characterized by a rather regular climatic trend. The first months of the winter season recorded abundant rains in the Trapani countryside, ensuring a restoration of the water content in the soils, with a fairly cool spring and early summer.
2020
In the Trapani countryside, 2020 grape harvest was generally affected by a variable climatic trend compared to 2019. Actually temperatures above the seasonal average – in particular between the months of January and February – and a certain drought from May to late September, influenced a lot of vine life cycle. These conditions slightly anticipated the budding phase, by reducing vine development and growth in the matter of foliage until flowering with a lower production yield (about 30%) – for white grape varieties in particular – in favor of quality: a of the best in recent years.
2019
The 2019 vintage was generally affected by the colder and rainier climatic trend compared to the averages of recent years. Temperatures were below the seasonal average during the flowering period and favorable climatic conditions were also recorded during ripening.
2018
After a winter and a spring with abundant rainfall, summer did not make the thermometers soar and the sugar level was lower than in 2017. September recorded a slight increase in moisture and minimum temperatures compared to last year, but without ever causing particular phytosanitary problems. At the beginning of the third part of the same month there were copious rains (on the 21st and the 22nd) that slowed down the harvest, but fortunately without compromising the health of the grapes.
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. Broadly speaking this climate situation brought to a regular vegetative process and vines came to harvest time in extraordinary conditions. Among July and August temperature reached very high level compared to typical seasonal average.
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.
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.
CAELES CATARRATTO
Awards
2021
Rating Biowein preis 2022: 96 points
2018
Bioweinpreis: 92 pts
2017
International award for organic Wine: 87 pts
Bibenda: 3 Green bunches
2016
Gambero rosso, Bere bene: The best quality/price ratio
International award for organic Wine: 93 pts Golden Medal
Bibenda: 4 Green Clusters
Bere Bene – Gambero Rosso: the best quality/price ratio
2014
Gambero Rosso: 2 black glasses
Luigi Veronelli: 1 flower
International award for Organic winei: 88 pts.
2013
International award for organic wine: 92/100 Golden Medal
Gambero Rosso: 2 black glasses
Luigi Veronelli: 1 flower
Paired with
Bulgar Wheat with Mixed Vegetables
Gather the vegetables together: celery, carrots, potatoes and spring onion and “brunoise” dice. Cut the tomato in half. Place the cut vegetables in a casserole dish and add water. Cook over a low heat to create fragrant vegetable stock.
