FUSO ‘Cala’ Bianco 2022

Location: Italy, Sicily

Winemaker: Dario Serrentino

Grapes: Catarratto

Soil: clay, red sand

Winemaking: 50 hours on the skins in stainless steel tanks and, after pressing, in stainless steel for another 10 days. 6 months élevage in stainless steel tanks.

‘Cala’ Bianco: Cala Bianco is Dario from Mortellito’s spin on the white grapes from the northwest of Sicilia. He works with the specific clone of Catarratto that’s called Catarratto Extra Lucido - Extra Shiny Catarratto - which gives wines with more texture, depth, and color that the common Catarratto usually found throughout Sicilia. Dario is known for making highly drinkable and sea-breeze salty island wines. Pithy stone fruits, cantaloupe, dried citrus rinds, and sandalwood; the dried flowers on the nose extend into a long salty finish. It’s on the edge between an orange wine and a white wine, with 50 hours on the skins.

From the importer PortoVino: FUSO is our project to search for and bottle Italy’s natural and characterful daily drinkers. We work with farmers and producer friends who are committed to organic viticulture, low-intervention, and terroir-driven wines.