Scala 'Ciro' Rosato DOC 2018

We're back with a wine from one of the early Press Wines Italian wineries, and so far one of the most popular producers we have showcased. It is from the Scala family in Southern Italy, though this time it is their Rose, or as the Italian's would say, Rosato.

To remind you of the Scala family, they have owned their property, over multiple generations, for 200 years. The family had previously farmed olive trees, citrus groves and nuts, though turned some of the property over to a vineyard in 1965. They farm their 18 hectares of vineyard organically.

They are in the deep south of Italy in Calabria, from a vineyard in the DOC of Ciro, which is in the upward arch of the foot of the Italian peninsula. Like the rosso we offered in the winter, the grape for the rosato is Gaglioppo (gah-li-oh-po), The vines here are 45 to 50 years old on a sandy, clay soil profile. We particularly like warmer climate wines grown on sand for the floral and spice aromas they can deliver, and this is on show here. 

Scala deliver a Rosato with a pink to burnt orange colour, with very pale hues. It is loaded with saline flavours, with a juicy core of light berry and wild strawberry fruit. The fruit flavours burst on to the front palate, though because the wine is loaded with salty, savoury, mineral flavours and a drive on the palate, it finishes very long and dry. This means it is more suitable for food than many French roses, pairing well with almost any green salad, tuna and/ or cold pastas. Of course, you could make it disappear pretty quickly on its own. 

We enjoy Southern Italian and Sicilian roses for the freshness and savouriness that they offer. If you like your Provence rose, this will tick all the boxes, though you can have confidence it is from a boutique, family owned winery that farm organically. This is a Rosato to keep in the fridge all summer. Not for ageing, just for drinking. We hope you love it.