Planeta La Segreta Bianco 2016 Sicily

Planeta 2016 La Segreta Bianco Sicily 

Blend of 50% Grecanico, 30% Chardonnay, 10% Fiano, and 10% Viognier

A floral tropical nose that smells like vacation. Baked pineapple, stone fruit, lime blossom, perfume, on the nose. A creamy, buttery, viscous palate with a squeeze of mandarin orange, touch of vanilla, and slight nuttiness.

We tasted this tropical white blend  from Sicily as part of an International Whites dinner party and tasting exercise.  We also reviewed it for International Wine Report and scored it 89 points. For one of our pairing recipes see Stuffed Fish: Spanikopita Filled Dover Sole.  For notes on some of the other whites we reviewed that night see Vivanco 2016 White Rioja  and Cusumano Shamaris Grillo 2015 Sicily 

There were a couple of grapes that were unfamiliar so here is the rundown.

Grecanico – Do what now?  We spelled it wrong like 3 times. But it is the same thing as Garganega, the white grape of Soave, with which we are more familiar.  We typically find wines from this grape to be clean, crisp, and lemon citrusy and if we are lucky we taste some pear or very light stone fruit flavors.  We imagine the warmer region of Sicily, vs Veneto where the Soave appellation lives, gives the grape riper fruitier notes.

Chardonnay  – This one we know.  Wide range of flavors depending on climate and winemaking.

Fiano – Yes we just typed Fiona and thought how great there is a grape named that.  Um, no.  FiAno  According to Jancis Robinson, in its youth Fiano is often intensely flavored and aromatic with honey notes that over time develop more spicy and nutty notes. According to Oz Clarke well made examples of Fiano from favorable vintages should have a fair amount of weight on the palate with a floral aroma and notes of honey and spice with the potential to continue improving with bottle age.

Viognier – This one we know too.  Stands alone in Northern Rhone or is cofermented in small amounts with Syrah.  Blended with Marsanne and Rousanne in Southern Rhone.  Also shows up in New World wine regions.  Very very aromatic and fat with lots of perfumed flowers, ripe tropical and stone fruits, body body body, and sometimes a little less acid than is desired.