COS 2023 Frappato Terre Siciliane IGP

750ml

12.5% abv

Dried strawberries, roses, burnt orange peel, hints of leather, and a body that veers between light and medium, sometimes in the same taste. Tangy, crisp, mineral, deep and beguiling.

From 100% organic Frappato grapes grown in Sicily. Spontaneous fermentation in concrete tanks on the skins with indigenous yeast. Aged for nine months in concrete vats followed by three months in the bottle before release.

COS, a prominent winery in the Vittoria appellation of Sicily, was founded in 1980 by Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti, and Cirino Strano. The winery's name COS is an acronym derived from the initials of the founders' surnames. This winery has played a pivotal role in highlighting the potential of Sicily's terroir, contributing significantly to the region's reputation for producing top-tier wines.

The winery's roots trace back to the 1880s, a period when Sicilian wines were highly sought after due to the absence of phylloxera, an insect pest that devastated many of the world's vineyards. Sicily's winemaking history dates back to the 8th century BCE, but it's only in recent decades that the region has been recognized for producing high-quality wines. COS has been instrumental in this transformation, showcasing the ability to create complex and fresh wines despite Sicily's southernmost location.

The Vittoria region, where COS is located, is characterized by limestone substrates under a layer of red clay. This unique soil composition contributes significantly to the wines' freshness and balance. Giusto Occhipinti, one of the founders, views the vineyard as a vital asset, akin to a life's savings, warranting utmost protection and care. This philosophy has led COS to embrace organic and biodynamic farming practices, avoiding synthetic or chemical additives. The winery started practicing biodynamic viticulture in 2000 and received organic certification in 2007.

COS is renowned for its approach to aging wines, notably using 440-liter clay amphorae sourced from Spain, alongside neutral botti and concrete tanks. The use of clay, porous like oak but less influential in flavor transmission, is particularly notable. The winery utilizes stainless steel tanks exclusively for assembling wine before bottling. Extended macerations, including for white wines, are a hallmark of COS's winemaking, believed to impart natural preservatives to the wines, minimizing the need for sulfur additions.

Among its notable wines, COS is famed for its Cerasuolo di Vittoria and Pithos Rosso, the latter aged exclusively in amphorae. Della Fontana is a distinguished single-vineyard Cerasuolo. In the realm of whites, Pithos Bianco, crafted from the Grecanico grape (a regional variant of Garganega), and matured in amphorae, stands out. The COS portfolio is known for its elegance and purity, with standout wines like the floral Frappato and the fruity Nero di Lupo (Nero D’Avola).

COS's approach to winemaking is deeply rooted in the rich history of Sicilian viticulture, paying homage to the region's millennia-old traditions.