Region: Sicilia

Wine:

Faro DOC

Facts about this wine

Wine: Red wine
Taste: Dry
Volume: Medium
Min. alcohol: 12%
Mandatory Storage: Min. 1 years
Storage potential: 6 years

On the northeastern tip of Sicily, we find the city of Messina with its associated commune, and there is evidence of wine cultivation dating all the way back to the 14th century B.C. This is supported by archeological discoveries on the Aeolian Islands northwest of Messina, and coin finds from the 5th and 6th centuries B.C. Finally, we know that Julius Caesar celebrated his third term as consul by getting large quantities of "Mamertino", a wine from Messina.

Production increased steadily up through the centuries until disaster struck at the start of the 20th century. The region's grapevines were attacked by the wine louse phylloxera, which sent production back to the stone age.

Faro received its DOC in 1976, yet it lived on in anonymity and for a long period of time was the major provider of grape must to France's weak vintages. In the beginning of the 90s, the architect Salvatore Geraci began a serious, oenological project and could, by the 1994 vintage, tap his first red wine, "Palari", named for his vineyard. Geraci's wines have since won great recognition, and the US is a large importer from Faro DOC that, with its terraced vineyards, is Italy's smallest DOC region.

Faro DOC is produced from the grapes Nerello Mascalese (45-60%), Nerello Cappuccio (15-30%) and Nocera (5-10%), together with Calabrese and/or Gaglioppo and/or Sangiovese (0-15%).

The result is a more or less intense, ruby red wine, that acquires a more brick red color with aging. The aroma is delicate, ethereal and persistent. The taste is dry, harmonious, characteristic and a medium body.

Mandatory aging of 1 year. The wine is well suited to red meat and game.

Great dishes to have with Faro DOC

Red meat

Venison

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