TERROIR
Soil, sun, climate – Sicily is and will always remain a garden capable of producing the very best fruits.
Oxford English Dictionary definition of resilience (resilienza): “the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape.” Ragusa’s soil has this unique property to adapt, renew, reinvigorate.
Each estate has its own distinct terroir, while sharing a common identity. The Sicilian landscape is a kaleidoscope of local characters and vines, which express themselves through the wines they produce.
BIODIVERSITY
Using “Selezione Clonale”, vines are field-grafted onto rootstocks, all coming from the Cortese estate. This ensures that we use only the optimum clones for each specific vineyard.
Vineyards and vines are treated as individuals – there is no standardization. We do no chemical treatment of the soil – each strip of land is encouraged to grow and develop according to its own rhythms, expressing individuality and unique character.
To choose a natural rhythm requires careful attention, sensitivity and a constant presence in the vineyard.
ORGANIC CULTIVATION
Cortese is something more than organic. Organic certification is important, but Cortese goes further than that: with respect for the eco-system, use of natural fertilizers, and traditional methods, we are going back to the time when making wine organically was not a choice, but the only way.
Even adverse conditions contribute to maintaining the natural balance, allowing the vines to grow strong and healthy, building natural defences, with absolutely no need for chemical interventions of any kind.
Vines are only one small part of the whole – a cog in the wheel of the eco-system, of which every living thing is a part: from the ant to the falcon, the rabbit to the fox, from oranges to olives to almonds. Each vineyard has a part to play, expressing its own individuality through the fruit it produces.
CONSCIENCE, RESPECT, KNOW-HOW
It’s important to have confidence in nature, but to balance this by investing time in scientific research. It is vital to understand, decode and protect the important interactions within the vineyard.
Wait, don’t force. We observe nature carefully in order to allow the personality of each single vineyard to evolve.
INSPIRED BY TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES
Once the grapes have been harvested and carefully selected, the moment comes for us to put our signature on the wine.
Taking inspiration from our forebears, who were on the same land thousands of years before us, we find traditional wine-making methods the best, such as fermentation in terracotta (inherited from the ancient Greeks).
The resulting wines reflect the combination of modern technology and traditional techniques, with every nuance
of the terroir showing through.
Terroir and respect for biodiversity, exclusively organic cultivation and scientific know-how, the meeting of traditional techniques and contemporary technology. A PHILOSOPHY, A NEW WAY OF BRINGING WINE TO LIFE.
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For Nostru, our inspiration is the vibrant Sicilian landscape, rich and bold in colour, abundant and generous in all it produces.
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While Stefano and Marina Girelli are from Trento in the extreme north of Italy, it is the island of Sicily in the country’s deep south that has captured their heart. Stefano realised many years ago that Sicily was generally underrated as quality wine producing region and that the potential for making premium wines was tremendous. Crucially, he also recognised that conditions for producing organic, low-intervention wines are perfect on the Sicilian island.
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#CorteseWayOfLife
Cortese T-Shirts and bags are finally here: share your photos with us using the hashtag #CorteseWayOfLife
CHINA WINE & SPIRIT AWARD 2019
We are proud to announce the great results of our wines at the CWSA, the biggest & most prestigious Wine & Spirits competition in HONG KONG & CHINA.
- Sabuci Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG - Double Gold
- Senia Nero d’Avola Sicilia DOC - Silver medal
Furthermore, Sabuci Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG was elected the best Italian wine of the year.
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Gilbert and Gaillard International Challenge
Excellent results from Gilbert and Gaillard International Challenge, our wines have been awarded with gold and silver medals:
- CORTESE Selezione Senia Nero D'Avola Terre Siciliane IGP BIO 2017 – GOLD
“When we created Senia, we took our inspiration from traditional fermentation techniques. For this reason our Nero d’Avola is fermented in open top barriques, in small quantities of around 150 litres”
- CORTESE Selezione Vanedda Bianco Terre Siciliane IGP BIO 2017 - 92 POINTS
“To produce our white wine, Vanedda, we were inspired by ancient Sicilian traditions, resulting in a unique, highly individual wine.We have taken two classic Sicilian grape varieties, Cataratto and Grillo, which are fermented on their skins, just as wine was made in years gone by.”
- CORTESE Selezione Sabuci Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico DOCG BIO 2017 - 90 POINTS
“Sabuci is the name of the contrada or hamlet where Cortese has been situated since 1930. It is an historical area, perfectly suited to the production of Cerasuolo di Vittoria, which is the reason why we have given the name “Sabuci” to this wine.”
- CORTESE Nostru Catarratto Lucido Terre Siciliane IGP BIO 2017 - GOLD
“Our inspiration for the Catarratto Lucido design is the donkey. Donkeys are part of Sicily’s viticultural tradition. As man’s work partner, they used to be a common sight in the vineyards, representing the soul of working in the fields – the source of life and wealth.”
- CORTESE Nostru Carricante Terre Siciliane IGP BIO 2017 - GOLD
“Sicily is a treasure chest of culture. We take our inspiration for the Carricante design from the wonderful baroque San Giorgio cathedral in the beautiful nearby town of Ragusa, combined with the warm vivid colours of the Sicilian landscape.”
- CORTESE Nostru Nerello Mascalese Terre Siciliane IGP BIO 2018 – GOLD
“The agave grows widely in Sicily, majestic, resistant, determined plants, they thrive in the extreme conditions of the island and speak of the territory. We took our inspiration for the Nerello Mascalese design from the agave plant as a symbol of the Sicilian landscape. “
- CORTESE Nostru Nero d’Avola “No Added Sulphites” 2018 – SILVER
“The Rooster, a symbol of pride, courage and honesty, watches over the vineyards. The ancient Greeks believed that the Rooster saluted the sun every morning with his hearty cry, symbolising victory over the night, which also serves as an alarm clock to mark the start of the day for animals and vineyard workers alike! At Cortese, early morning is a key time for working in the vineyards to avoid the full strength of the Sicilian sun.”
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Vinibuoni d’Italia - 4 stars -Nostru Catarratto Lucido "Vini da non perdere" (Wines not to be missed)
Catarratto Lucido - received an amazing award 4 stars out of 4 and was elected on the section "Vini da non perdere" (Wines not to be missed) "for its pleasantness, correspondence to the vine and balance", from the most important Italian guidebook for indigenous grapes – “Vinibuoni d’Italia”, published by the Guide of Touring Club Italiano .
Nostru Catarrato Lucido is straw-coloured with flecks of green. The characterful bouquet is a little spicy and reminiscent of jasmine, aromatic herbs and nutmeg, with delicate touches of white peach. On the palate, there is a strong mineral back bone, perfectly balanced with lively acidity. The finish is long and complex with delicious almond flavours.
Digital tastings - head to head with the final consumer.
There are some wineries which are offering digital tastings directly with the final consumer, such as Sicilian Azienda Agricola Cortese, with its “Vino-à-Porter” project, which is not only for journalists and sommeliers but also for the public.
The winery, run by Trentino Stefano Girelli has decided that distance is not an issue. “Confined to Trento in the new situation,” explains Girelli, “thanks to the video camera, my estate can reach people many kilometres away.
Since we have had to cancel all actual tastings in Italy and around the world, we have substituted them with online versions, where people can still interact and ask questions. I am also working on virtual tours of the winery and vineyards.
Author: Gianbattista Marchetto
Read more: HERE
Cantina Cortese – Sicily as you don’t expect it!
In these days of being quarantined at home, it is important to find interesting distractions, and the on-line tasting from a Sicilian winery, with its great quality wines was very welcome.
We prepare the 6 bottles, the glasses, a couple of snacks for the tasting, carefully organised for aperitif time, meaning we don’t have to spit the wine out, and we connect to Zoom. Brother and sister Stefano and Marina Girelli have been in the wine world for three decades. Although he is from Trentino, Sicily has become Stefano’s wine country. He is keen to talk about all the work they have done in the vineyards and he gets excited about the terroir. “There are incredibly different soils just a few metres apart, that bring out amazingly different characteristics in the grapes.
To enhance the wines further, Stefano has pursued the philosophy of making organic and vegan wines, with no chemical intervention. Each strip of land is given the opportunity to produce and react at its own pace and express its own unique qualities – in the firm belief that this is the profound meaning of biodiversity.
Author: Emanuele Bompan
Read more : HERE
Vanedda is a wine that tastes of summer
The island of Sicily is known for its rich, intense, memorable wines. Vanedda is the Sicilian name for little country lanes and is the top white from Azienda Agricola Cortese, in Vittoria, Sicily.
This is a wine which really speaks of its terroir: the body of the Grillo, the minerality of the Cataratto and the complexity of Fiano.
Author:Tarcila Bassi
Read more : HERE
Easter with a wine that you really want.
Cortese Vanedda is a fine white from Azienda Agricola Cortese, in Vittoria, the region of Ragusa in Sicily.
This is a wine which really speaks of its terroir: the body of the Grillo, the minerality of the Cataratto and the complexity of Fiano. A highly nuanced wine, with a prominent bouquet showing notes of coconut and tropical fruits, combined with hints of sweet spices. Perfect with seafood and traditional Sicilian seafood dishes.
Author: Anna Mazzotti
Read more:HERE
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C.da Sabuci, 3 Km 11 | VITTORIA | RAGUSA | ITALIA
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