Four times Sicily
QUATER VITIS BIANCO
IGT Terre Siciliane
Catarratto,Inzolia, Zibibbo and Carricante dell’Etna
The high percentage of clay present in Pianoro Cuddìa’s soil gives rise to a wine that perfectly reflects the organoleptic properties of its earth. A blend of four different native vine varieties, Quater vitis Bianco could be considered a genuine interpretation of Sicily, one that encapsulates the whole island in one single glass. Catarratto grapes give complex fruity fragrances, enhanced by the aromatic characteristics of the Zibibbo, in balance with Inzolia’s elegance and the minerality of Carricante, which is the product of Etna, grown at 700 metres above sea level in the Cavanera Estate. The balance produced by the sweetness and the core supporting acidity make Quater Vitis bianco a wine that is destined to age in the bottle. It lends itself well to professional vertical wine tastings that compare it with other international whites with a similar longevity, like Reisling, Great Burgundy whites, Grand Cru and Premier Cru
The high percentage of clay present in Pianoro Cuddìa’s soil gives rise to a wine that perfectly reflects the organoleptic properties of its earth. A blend of four different native vine varieties, Quater vitis Bianco could be considered a genuine interpretation of Sicily, one that encapsulates the whole island in one single glass.
- Appellation: IGT Terre Siciliane
- Vine: Catarratto, Inzolia, Zibibbo and Carricante of Etna Volcano
- Terroir: hilly-mountain
- Soil: clayey soils/ volcanic soils
- Exposure: Pianoro Cuddìa : from 200 to 250 m a.s.l./ Cavanera Etnea: from 750 to 850 mt a.s.l.
Production Area
Pianoro Cuddìa
The Pianoro Cuddìa vineyard is north-facing and located 109 metres above sea level. The estate stretches over a plain in an area characterised by its almost desert-like, particularly windy climate.
Quater Vitis Bianco
Four white grape crus give Sicily in a glass
All of Sicily in just one glass, many personalities in just one bottle. Quater Vitis Bianco encases four crus from four native white grape vine varieties: Inzolia, Carricante, Cataratto and Zibibbo, varieties par excellence of Sicilian oenology. Together they give rise to a complex and sophisticated blend. The four different varieties differ in their organoleptic qualities and character; as a consequence the cuvees are subject to individual programmes of production from the vine to the winery.
QUATER VITIS BIANCO
The characteristics of vintages
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
The 2020 harvest was generally affected by a variable climatic trend compared to 2019, with temperatures above the seasonal average – in particular between the months of January and February – and a certain drought from May to late September.
2019
Vintage 2019 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. The vegetative development of the plants was optimal, with perfectly functioning foliage, and a reduction in the average weight of the bunch which favored an increase in the average quality.
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.
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
Very fruitful vintage both for production and quality grapes which originated very interesting wines under sensorial profile. Grape harvest lasted until the last week of September. 2013 vintage enabled a slower grape harvest which included more gradual ripen process: the harvest had been delayed by two weeks.
2012
The four autochthonous varieties are harvested by hand on the Pianoro Cuddìa estate from the start of September, which is when they reach 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.
2011
The rainfall this year was lower compared to average rainfall values for Sicily and mainly occurred during the spring. The cool temperatures and scarce rainfall had a significant effect on the harvest, which began on September, with a slightly lower yield of grapes.
2010
Overall, 2010 saw lower than average rainfall and temperatures, with abundant rainfall at the end of autumn and spring. This favoured a period of rest followed by invigoration of the vines, even though there was a slight delay in bud break and flowering. The muggy weather in August and cool, wet weather in September, with temperatures ranging from 20 to 22°C
2009
The weather conditions were variable in 2009 with abundant rainfall during the winter, evenly spread throughout the spring and plentiful from the middle of September. It was a very unusual year, notable for the low temperatures recorded during one of the coldest winters experienced in the last few years. The summer was warm and dry until the rain arrived at the end of the summer months.
2008
The scarce rainfall and mild temperatures recorded this year did not affect the growth of the vines, which produced healthy, ripe fruit, a small percentage of which was treated with sulphur. The grapes were hand picked thanks to the care and local knowledge of the labourers. Nature and agricultural techniques helped to produce a fragrant and aromatic wine with a pleasant complexity on the nose.
2006
The stable weather conditions resulted in normal and productive vine growth and ripening. Rainfall was plentiful during the winter and spring of this year, supplying the plants with the right amount of water. The summer was fairly hot and muggy, meanwhile the lack of rain during the month of August caused serious problems in terms of water stress, resulting in a lower grape yield.
2007
The productivity of the vines fell by 40% this year due to an attack of peronospora, a mould that develops after abundant rainfall, and the strong and persistent sirocco wind. Timely action from those caring for the plants managed to save them and although the yield was lower than in previous years, the grapes ripened perfectly producing sweet, aromatic fruit.
QUATER VITIS BIANCO
Awards
2017
James Suckling: 91 pts
Robert Parker: 88 pts
Vini Buoni d’Italia: 4 Stars
Luigi Veronelli: 2 Red stars
Gambero rosso: 2 Red glasses
2016
Bibenda: 4 Green clusters
2015
Vini Buoni d’Italia: 4 stars
Robert Parker : 90 pts
2012
Bibenda: 4 Green cluster
2011
Annuario dei Migliori Vini d’Italia: 89 pts
Robert Parker: 88 pts
2010
Gambero Rosso: 2 red glasses
Annuario dei Migliori Vini Italiani: 90 pts The best producer of the year
Bibenda: 3 clusters
WineEnthusiast: 91 pts
2009
Annuario dei Migliori Vini Italiani: 91 pts
Bibenda: 4 Clusters
WineEnthusiast :90 pts
2008
Luigi Veronelli: 3 red stars
La Guida ai Vini – Giornale di Sicilia: 5 stars
Robert Parker: 90 pts
Paired with
Trenette with Cuttlefish Ragout
Boil the tenerumi, then drain them and squeeze them well.
Put them in a jug together with the oil, a pinch of salt and a pinch of pepper, then blend everything with an immersion blender.
