Sizzling sweet finish with the Zibibbo dessert wine

What a nice name for a grape, the “Zibibbo”! “Zibibbo” comes from the Arabic word zabīb, which means “raisins”. That sounds good right away. Here in Sicily at Cantina Ermes, they let it hang on the vine extra long and it is also harvested extra late. That doesn't happen until October. Actually, it is a sort of PassitoAs a result, the Cantina Ermes Quattro Quarti Zibibbo has a delightful amount of residual sugar and a broad spectrum of aromas.

The Quattro Quarti Zibibbo has a sweet opening but remains fresh and balanced on the finish. Delightfully fragrant with hints of fresh apricot, candied orange peel, and in the background some honey and spices. The finish is warm and long-lasting. A blend of elegance, uniqueness, and diversity. The grape is also used for Passito di Pantelleria, which is perhaps where you know it from! The wine pairs wonderfully with Pompoentaart met geconfijte sinaasappelschil en amandel for example. But the Quattro Quarti Zibibbo also goes very well with a traditional Tiramisu. Truly a classic dessert wine from Italy that never gets boring. Surprising.

Cantine Ermes

Cantine Ermes is a winegrowing community in Sicily. The community's origins are a story of destruction and reconstruction. In 1968, a major earthquake shook the Belice Valley in Sicily, destroying entire villages. The Sicilians did not rebuild their homes but built completely new places a few kilometers away. Thus, old Gibellina is now a modern art installation of concrete blocks in the outlines of the old houses; scattered throughout the valley, one can still find the ruins of individual villages. Amidst this devastation, a few young winemakers decided to make a fresh start here. In 1998, they founded Cantine Ermes and began cultivating grapes. Today, Cantine Ermes is a cooperative with more than 2,700 members, over 12,500 hectares of vines, and 11 wineries. In 2018, they also built a winery in Puglia, the heel of the "Italian boot." In the heart of Sicily, with a unique territory characterized by a different microclimate and soils of diverse geological origins.

Diverse Terroirs

In the Cantine Ermes production area, three typical soil types occur: red soil, black soil, and white soil. The red soil is found primarily on the west coast of Sicily and consists of sand and stones with traces of iron. Combined with the dry climate, it is excellently suited for varieties such as Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, but also Grillo and Zibibbo. The black soil, on the other hand, is located in the hinterland near Trapani at an altitude of 200-300 meters and consists of shale and clay. It is highly resistant to drought, allowing the vines to go for long periods without rain. And last but not least: The white soil is found in the hills of Belice and consists mainly of limestone, which gives the soil its characteristic color. The altitude varies from approximately 400 to 700 meters above sea level. Grape varieties that harmonize well with minerality find ideal conditions here.

Cantine Ermes is strongly committed to protecting the environment and regularly reviews its cultivation practices. For example, it attaches great importance to water conservation, self-generated electricity, and avoids the use of artificial fertilizers as much as possible.