LLS Portfolio Book 2015

Tasca d’Almerita

The island of Sicily is home to the Tasca d’Almerita family of estates: Regaleali, Capofaro, and Whitaker. The Regaleali estate is at the heart of the family’s wine production, and also serves as an escape from the bustle of the coastal capital of Palermo. In 2002, the family purchased vineyards on the small island of Salina to create Tenuta Capofaro, which produces elegant sweet wines with high acidity yet fresh balance throughout. The Whitaker estate consists of vineyards originally planted by the English family of the same name in the 19th century. As a result of Count Giuseppe’s hard work and dedication over the past 50 years, all the wines of Tasca d’Almerita are celebrated worldwide for their outstanding value and prestigious history. Count Giuseppe’s son, Count Lucio, is president of the family-run winery, and his two sons, Giuseppe and Alberto, serve as vice president and managing director, respectively. In addition to the wines, the estate is practically self sufficient, producing most of the vegetables, fruits, wheat, olives, cheeses and meats they need. This inspired Marchesa Anna Tasca Lanza, Count Lucio’s sister, to establish a culinary school, considered one of the best in Italy today. The school has inspired culinary professionals from around the world, including Julia Child and Alice Waters. In addition, Anna has introduced hundreds more to the art of Sicilian cuisine through her cookbooks, Heart of Sicily: Recipes and Reminiscences of Regaleali, a Country Estate and The Flavors of Sicily: Stories, Traditions, and Recipes for Warm-Weather Cooking. While the history of Tasca d’Almerita dates back to the 19th century, it was Count Giuseppe Tasca who started a new era for the winery and the Sicilian wine business in the late 1950s, devoting himself to the promotion of Sicilian wines and introducing a new business model based on quality and innovation rather than quantity and bulk production. He invented the winery’s two flagship wines: Rosso del Conte and Nozze d’Oro. Almerita Brut Contea di Sclafani DOC Created in 1990 as a sparkling wine for the friends of Count Giuseppe Tasca, this is a brut “millesimato” or vintage wine. Made from 100% Chardonnay from the parcels with the best sun exposures, this is a vintage brut made every year with estate-grown grapes. Almerita Brut, like all “methode champenoise” sparkling wines, is produced by inducing a second fermentation of the base wine in the bottle. Almerita Brut is patiently matured on the yeast for 24 months, during which it develops its classic aromas of butter and brioche.

Cabernet Sauvignon Contea di Sclafani DOC Tasca d’Almerita’s experiments with this distinguished international red grape have led to the creation of this outstanding wine. This “Super Sicilian” has focused the world’s attention on this island’s extraordinary, but somewhat hidden, potential for creating truly impressive wines. A winner of many Italian and international awards, Tasca d’Almerita’s Cabernet Sauvignon continues to gain devoted admirers in the market.

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WINES OF SOUTHERN ITALY