Salina is both the name of the wine and the tiny volcanic Aeolian island just north of Sicily in the Mediterranean. Barely 10 square miles in area, it has six inactive volcanos that account for its lava rich soil. Here the Malvasia di Lipari makes a riveting dry wine that electrifies the palate. Ilaria, from the famed Florence wine bar, Le Volpi e l’Uva, recommended it to me, describing it as the best antidote for the heat and humidity of summer. No argument from me. A vibrant saline acidity underpins its stony nature and makes it also a great choice for anything from the sea, even hearty dishes bathed in a tomato sauce. Made in small quantities, it likely will be difficult to find. If you do, snap it up for this summer. You will be thrilled and refreshed!
Caravaglio, Salina Bianco IGT (Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Italy) 2022
By Michael Apstein