Occhipinti : SP68 Bianco 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes for the SP68 Bianco 2023 by Occhipinti

Tasting

Color
The color reveals a pale straw yellow hue, with subtle golden highlights.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with intense floral notes of chamomile and honeysuckle, mingled with vibrant citrus such as lemon and lime. Stone fruit aromas, such as white peach and apricot, intertwine with touches of Mediterranean herbs like oregano and sage.

Palate
Dry and refreshing, this Italian white wine offers lovely natural acidity and a light to medium body. The palate reveals flavors of citrus and orchard fruit, supported by a delicate texture derived from skin contact maceration. The finish is clean, persistent and marked by a saline minerality reminiscent of chalk, with a hint of olive.

Food and wine pairing

This white wine pairs beautifully with seafood dishes such as grilled sea bass, ceviche or spaghetti with clams. It also pairs very well with herb-roasted poultry, fried vegetables, as well as mild cheeses and charcuterie.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate the complexity of the SP68 Bianco 2023, it is recommended to serve it chilled, at a temperature of around 12 to 14°C, allowing it time to breathe in the glass. This wine has the potential to develop further in the cellar over several years.

Other characteristics

This wine has a moderate alcohol level, between 12 and 12.5%. It is bottled without fining or filtration, which preserves the integrity of its texture and aromas.

The authentic expression of a white wine from Vittoria by Occhipinti

The estate

Founded in 2004 by Arianna Occhipinti, who remains its owner and winemaker to this day, the Occhipinti estate is located in Vittoria, in southeastern Sicily. Starting with a single hectare of abandoned vines, the estate now spans between 22 and 40 hectares. Cultivated according to the principles of organic and biodynamic farming, the estate is dedicated to showcasing native Sicilian grape varieties. Renowned worldwide, it ranks among the finest wine destinations, embodying a philosophy of respect for the land and minimal intervention.

The vineyard

The grapes come from plots located in the Vittoria region, in Sicilia. The vines, roughly fifteen years old, thrive on soils composed of iron-rich red sand resting on a base of white limestone rock. This terroir enjoys a Mediterranean climate, tempered by the altitude of the Hyblean Mountains and sea breezes that cool the grapes and preserve their natural acidity.

The vintage

2023 was marked by particularly demanding weather conditions, with sirocco winds bringing Saharan heat reaching 48°C. These extreme temperatures required an earlier harvest by about ten days, spanning from late September to early October. Despite a drop in yield, the sandy-limestone soils allowed the vines to withstand water stress and retain a beautiful freshness.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes destined for the SP68 Bianco 2023 are hand-harvested and sorted before being destemmed. Fermentation begins spontaneously through indigenous yeasts in concrete tanks, with no temperature control. The must macerates on the skins for about two weeks, lending it a distinctive texture. Aging then continues in these same concrete tanks for six to eight months before bottling under natural cork.

Grape varieties

Zibibbo (60%) and Albanello (40%)