Donnafugata, Sicilia DOC (Sicily, Italy) 2018

 This deliciously charming wine is made primarily from the Catarratto grape, native to Sicily, Italy’s largest island (as well as the Mediterranean’s).  Its cheerful, bright, light golden color is an invitation to relish the floral, ripe apple, peach aromas with a hint of orange zest.  The peach, apple, Meyer lemon flavors — rich and round in the mouth — are animated by crisp, mouthwatering acidity.  Anthilia, pronouced "ahn Teel eyah," is the first wine produced at Donnafugata.  Giacomo Rallo’s family started making Marsala in western Sicily in 1851.  In the late 1970s he recognized the fading fortunes of Marsala, and saw a rising interest in still wines in Sicily.  He and his wife, Gabriella, decided to plant vineyards on a property that she inherited.  She was in the viticulturist.  They named the winery Donnafugata from the novel by Tomasi di Lampedusa entitled Il Gattopardo (The Leopard).  Their labels, which were a colorful departure from the staid, black and white standard style of the time, are designed by Stefano Vitale.  Sadly, Giacomo died in 2016, but Gabriella with daughter José and son, Antonio continue the family business.