In Southern Sicily on 13May2025 we visited the Villa Romana Del Casale, home of some of the most superb Roman mosaics in the world recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The villa was constructed by a prominent Roman aristocrat between the third and fourth centuries. This large countryside villa represented the height of luxury. Within the remains of the original rooms are more than 40 impeccably crafted mosaic floors and walls featuring different themes. Marvelously preserved, the villa’s vast collection reveals colorful scenes of mythological heroes, wild animals, hunting, circus games, female athletes, domestic life and more. Portrayals of life were for the masters while geometric designs were for the servants’ areas.
A stone’s throw away from the villa there is Agriturismo Trinacria Pizzeria a misnomer as it is a restaurant more than a pizzeria. Lunch, after visiting the villa, consisted of a starter antipasto plate of potato omelet pieces, home made fried ricotta cheese, cheeses, olives and home cured meats. A rich caponata followed then home-made sausages and potatoes with a Cannoli filled with home prepared ricotta cheese. The wine was what you might call a “simple Primitivo” served in large pitchers. Fruit driven and smooth but with enough traction to pair simply and magnificently with the food. No fancy bottles here but home prepared and organic from demi-johns. Expressing my praise the owner was so delighted, understanding I review wine, he filled up a 1.5 liter water bottle and said enjoy!
Returning to the Eurostars Hotel in Taormina, Sicily while the better half attended an evening opera performance, I tried to become more scientific and gave the wine a formal tasting. I felt like Luca Maroni the overly generous Italian wine critic giving the wine a 94/100. My happy state enjoying it in the Sicilian countryside caused my “scientific” mind to float above the wine reverting to a perfect moment in time of an early summer rustic Sicilian lunch and then again on my hotel patio overlooking the Bay of Naxos as the sun set.
Aroma: Enormously rich if not decadent black cherry rules the roost. Black plum, licorice and cactus pear with a hint of dark chocolate.
Palate: Extreme purity. Smooth yet powerful with black cherry gripping the palate. Blackberry, espresso and demure acidity with a clean long finish.
Personality: I match perfectly with simple local fare and your state of mind enjoying it in the Sicilian countryside. Take me out of the countryside from which I came I may lose my identity and outside the environs of the villa you will never find me.
And from a water bottle! A state of mind threatening a cold and calculated rating. Gotta love it. Luca Maroni move over!
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