The Contessa Entellina Ansonica Late Harvest wine is a sweet white wine produced in the eponymous Contessa Entellina area, in the province of Palermo, Sicily.
It is made from Ansonica grapes, a local variety, harvested late when they are very ripe and desiccated, in order to concentrate the sugars and aromas in the must.
After the harvest, the grapes are gently pressed and the obtained must is fermented in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature, to preserve the typical fruity and floral aromas of the Ansonica variety.
The Contessa Entellina Ansonica Late Harvest wine has an intense golden yellow color, with aromas of ripe fruit like apricot, peach and pineapple, and notes of honey and vanilla.
On the palate it is sweet and soft, with a pleasant freshness that balances the high sugar content.
It is a perfect wine to serve as a dessert, or to pair with blue cheeses or fruit-based desserts like tarts or apple pies.
Production Area
The production area extends over the Sicani Mountains, at an altitude between 400 and 600 meters above sea level.
The terrain is characterized by gentle hills and slopes, with calcareous and clayey soils, very suitable for vine cultivation.
The local climate is Mediterranean, with hot and dry summers and mild, rainy winters. However, the presence of the mountains leads to significant temperature variations between day and night, which contribute to the slow and gradual ripening of the grapes.
Grape Varietals
The Contessa Entellina Ansonica Late Harvest wine is produced primarily with Ansonica, also known as Inzolia, grapes.
This indigenous Sicilian grape variety is cultivated mainly in the western part of the island, particularly in the Contessa Entellina area.
Ansonica is a white grape variety characterized by high resistance to drought and summer heat, and good adaptability to calcareous and clayey soils.
The Ansonica grapes used for the production of the Contessa Entellina Ansonica Late Harvest wine are harvested late, after an advanced maturation, which allows to obtain a higher concentration of sugars and a more intense aromatic profile.
Winemaking
The winemaking process to produce the Contessa Entellina Ansonica Late Harvest wine involves several stages, which are essential to obtain a high-quality product.
The grapes are hand-harvested, in order to select only the healthiest and most mature clusters.
The grapes are then brought to the winery and subjected to a gentle pressing, to extract the must delicately and preserve the aromas and flavors of the fruit as much as possible.
The obtained must is then left to settle, in order to remove impurities and solid residues.
Subsequently, the must is fermented in stainless steel tanks, at a controlled temperature, for about 20-30 days.
During this phase, the natural yeasts present in the grapes transform the must’s sugars into alcohol, giving life to the wine.
At this point, a portion of the wine is placed in wooden barrels, where it matures for about 6-12 months.
During this maturation, the wine acquires greater aromatic and tannic complexity, thanks to the interaction with the wood.
The remaining wine is instead subjected to an arrested fermentation, in order to preserve a good amount of residual sugars.
This allows to obtain a sweet and soft wine, with a good structure and an intense bouquet.
Finally, the two wines are blended, giving life to the Contessa Entellina Ansonica Late Harvest wine, which is then bottled and left to rest for a few months before being marketed.
Tipologies
The Contessa Entellina Ansonica Late Harvest wine is available in different typologies. These differ in terms of sweetness level and maturation duration.
The most common version is the one that involves a maturation in wooden barrels for a period of about 6-12 months, followed by an arrested fermentation.
In this case, the wine presents a sweet and soft palate, with an intense and complex aroma that recalls notes of ripe fruit, flowers and spices.
There are also more premium versions of the Contessa Entellina Ansonica Late Harvest wine, which undergo a longer maturation in wooden barrels.
In this case, the wine acquires greater complexity and structure, with a more intense bouquet and a more pronounced wood note.
Furthermore, there is also a sparkling version of the Contessa Entellina Ansonica Late Harvest wine, obtained through a second fermentation in the bottle.
In this case, the wine is effervescent and fresh, with an aromatic profile that recalls notes of fresh fruit and citrus.
Lastly, there are also passito versions of the Contessa Entellina Ansonica Late Harvest wine, obtained through a drying process of the grapes before vinification.
In this case, the wine is very sweet and soft, with an intense and persistent aromatic profile.
Organoleptic Characteristics
The Contessa Entellina Ansonica Late Harvest wine has an intense golden yellow color, with amber reflections.
The nose is intense and complex, characterized by notes of ripe fruit, citrus and dried fruit, accompanied by floral and spicy scents.
On the palate, the wine is sweet and soft, with a good acidity that keeps it balanced.
The body is full and enveloping, with a long-lasting finish.
The sweetness of the wine is well-balanced by the aromaticity and freshness, making it very pleasant on the palate.
In the more premium versions of the Contessa Entellina Ansonica Late Harvest wine, the maturation in wooden barrels provides the wine with notes of vanilla, chocolate and toasted aromas, which enrich the aromatic complexity of the product.
Food Pairings
The Contessa Entellina Ansonica Late Harvest wine is ideal to pair with aged cheeses, such as gorgonzola or pecorino, or with dried fruit-based desserts, such as figs, walnuts, almonds or pistachios.
The Contessa Entellina Ansonica Late Harvest wine can also be paired with high-end dishes based on white meat or fish, such as pork tenderloin or salmon. In this case, the wine is able to create a balanced contrast between its sweetness and the savory nature of the meat or fish.
Finally, the Contessa Entellina Ansonica Late Harvest wine can be enjoyed on its own as a meditation wine, to be savored in the company of friends or in moments of relaxation. In any case, the wine lends itself to moments of conviviality and palate pleasure.
