THE PLANETA WORLD SEEN FROM THE EARTH Planeta is a Sicilian wine company established in 1995. Planeta is not just one but six PLANETA IS A ways of expressing the land in six different aspects. This is the number of estates which produce their wine, of the boutique wineries each with their project of research into and ‘JOURNEY THROUGH making the most of the land. SICILY’ FROM WEST Ulmo at Sambuca di Sicilia (Ag), Dispensa at Menfi (Ag), Dorilli at Vittoria (Rg), Buonivini at Noto (Sr), Sciara Nuova on Etna at Castiglione di Sicilia (Ct) and finally La Baronia at Cap o Milazzo (ME) are the Planeta locations, a total surface area of vineyard TO EAST of 364 hectares. From the family estates of Menfi and Sambuca di Sicilia, then Vittoria, Noto and Etna, to the latest acquisition on Capo Milazzo, Planeta becomes a ‘Journey’ round Sicily and its greatest wines. The products are innovative, contemporary and thoroughly coherent with a ritual interpre- tation of wines which have been almost forgotten but are historically a part of Italy. Planeta’s pr oject, a patient and meticulous study which is never hurried, has turned as much to the past as to the future. On one side a deep link with the oldest enological Sicilian traditions with their heritage of indigenous varieties, Grecanico, Carricante, Moscato di Noto, Frappato, Nerello Mascalese and Nero d’Avola. On the other, an arena where the greatest producers of the five continents are appraised for the varieties Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet, great classics of international enology interpre- ted by a territory which unmistakably marks them. There is also the most inspired and visionary experimentation with varieties which has permitted the appearance of a revolu- tionary Fiano for the first time in Sicily. Without forgetting the green gold, Planeta’s other great passion; the extra-virgin olive oil produced in the natural oasis of Capparrina, behind the glorious beaches of Menfi. The company’s activities has a connecting link; environmental sustainability, attained through the use of solar panels and biomass for energy production, principally with the residues of pruning, through the re-use and recycling of materials used in the production cycle and exclusive use of recycled paper for packing and printing. Alessio, Francesca and Santi Planeta established the company and this project, and their family stands close to them, rooted for generat ions in Sicilian agriculture. A family which has aimed for ambitious goals, following the diktat of quality, of rigorous respect for the environment and of social responsibility. District Area Milazzo Messina Winery Hectares La Baronia 8 District Area Sambuca di Sicilia Agrigento NORTH-EASTERN SICILY Winery Hectares Ulmo 93 District Area Castiglione di Sicilia Catania Winery Hectares Sciara Nuova 16 WEST SICILY CAPO MILAZZO MESSINA PALERMO TRAPANI CASTIGLIONE DI SICILIA Etna SAMBUCA DI SICILIA MENFI CATANIA AGRIGENTO SIRACUSA VITTORIA District Area RAGUSA Menfi Agrigento Winery Hectares Dispensa 161 NOTO District Area Vittoria Ragusa Winery Hectares SOUTH-EASTERN SICILY Dorilli 35 District Area Noto Siracusa Winery Hectares Buonivini 51 0 30 km main cities SAMBUCA DI SICILIA MENFI ULMO (SAMBUCA DI SICILIA) MAROCCOLI (SAMBUCA DI SICILIA) DISPENSA (MENFI) GURRA (MENFI) ULMO An ancient valley originally with a river which is now a lake, which has con- TYPE OF SOIL tributed deep soils and an abundance of pebbles at its bottom, while higher up lie areas of limestone with zones of dark organic soil MAROCCOLI The vineyard lies at a height of 450 metres above sea level, with a moderately chalky soil and plentiful silty areas. It has a remarkable microclimate due to the breezes arriving from the sea just a few kilometres away DISPENSA Moderate depth, an average amount of limestone with mixed yellow and dark grey clay, with a reasonably fine texture; hard structures are barely apparent, ideal for international vines GURRA Divided into two micro-zones; one consisting of red sands with little struc- ture, ideal for Syrah, the other of limestone soils and much clay, which enhance even further the particular aromatic qualities of Fiano SAMBUCA DI SICILIA Original home of the family and the business, the 17th century farmhouse stands bet- ULMO ween the ruins of an Arab castle, the Arancio lake and a mountain range. The vine- yards ‘Ulmo’ and ‘Maroccoli’ extend over a total of 93 hectares, surrounding the first Planeta winery where we produce our quality white wines; Alastro (Grecanico), Chardonnay and Cometa (Fiano) and Plumbago (Nero d’Avola), which continue to astonish us as the vines mature. Ulmo is the place dedicated to visitors and offers rou- tes between the vineyards, nature trails, winery visits and tastings. SICILIA / AGRIGENTO / SAMBUCA DI SICILIA / ULMO ULMO ALASTRO * I.G.T. SICILIA Production area of vineyard Sambuca di Sicilia (AG) Vineyard Ulmo Grape variety 100% Grecanico Winery Ulmo Its name is taken from the wild shrub which covers the valleys around Lake Arancio with its yellow flowers in springtime. It is a single variety Grecanico, produced from the historic 25-year old Ulmo Vineyard, and thus able to express to the utmost the unique characteristics of this noble and ancient Sicilian grape. Elegant, balanced and austere, this is the ideal companion for the rich Mediterranean cuisine Vinification The grapes are crushed and destemmed; the juice is clarified through settling cold overnight and then inoculated with a selected pure yeast. After fermentation 90% of the grapes are aged in stainless steel tanks and matured on lees for six months. The remaining 10% ferments in barrels Ageing potential To be drunk immediately or to be kept up to 4-5 years. Grecanico surprises in its ability to evolve Tasting notes Colour Pale straw with hints of green reflections Nose Austere and polite. Aromas of ripe white melon and Etna white peach, followed by sweet sensations, white chocolate and meringue, a mineral component gradually appearing in the wine Palate The palate is thin but not too bulky, full and unexpectedly soft. A nice acidity enhances the freshness. Unpredictable finish with a return of dense flowery notes Food matching Ideal with sea food first courses, with shell fish and with light soups based on vegetables or with fish soups Planeta home-made dishes Pasta with Pachino tomatoes, timbal of capellini pasta, vegetable soup with potatoes, pesce curcato (fresh fish from Sciacca cooked whole) Sicilian dishes Couscous with vegetables, soup with tenerumi (fresh green leaves), pasta with broccoli, stuffed artichokes La Foresteria dishes Raw tuna, celery and green apple vinaigrette (picture), “naked” langoustines Palermo style, red beet sauce and grilled asparagus, scallops in lemon and persil with celeriac and onion sauce COMETA * I.G.T. SICILIA Production area of vineyards Menfi (AG) Vineyards Gurra, Dispensa Grape variety 100% Fiano Winery Ulmo A great white wine from southern Italian grapes which can be compared with the most important white wines of the world; this was the initial intention. During the 1990’s this was the aim of our experimentswith Fiano, a noble and ancient variety originating in Campania. Thus Cometa was born, expressing the characteristics of this extraordinary grape in an original and unique way. Intense and flowery perfumes, a great structure but at the same time with minerals which today forms one of the most important white wines of southern Italy Vinification Destemming followed by gentle crushing and static settling at a low temperature. Inoculated with selected yeasts when clear, fermentation in stainless steel tanks Ageing potential To drink at once or keep for several years Tasting notes Colour Straw yellow with evident green tints Nose The first vintage wine with a surprisingly intense aromatic nose and great charm. They include lychee, nectarines, pineapple, mandarin, peppermint, and the Mediterranean scents of chamomile and thyme Palate Elegant and full at the same time. It moves dynamically between soft intimations of alcohol and a vibrant acidity. Finish full of aroma and varietal nuances of considerable tenacity Food matching Carpaccio of raw smoked fish, oysters and grilled shellfish, prawns with saffron Planeta home-made dishes Carpaccio of sea bass, pasta with ‘new’ oil and country vegetables, baked primosale (sheep’s cheese) in orange leaves, grilled Sciacca prawns Sicilian dishes Spaghetti with sea urchins and spaghetti with lobster, glazed meat, red mullet in Noto almond pastry crust, chicken breast with orange sauce La Foresteria dishes ‘Carbonara’ pasta with carro ts, ham and broad beans chickpea gnocchi with zucchini, provolone and lemon thyme (picture) CHARDONNAY * I.G.T. SICILIA Production area of vineyards Sambuca di Sicilia (AG) Vineyards Ulmo, Maroccoli Grape variety 100% Chardonnay Winery Ulmo A wine which has become the image illustrating the changes taking place in Sicilian wines. It was born from a dream of competing with the world in the production of this noble and widespread grape variety. A long progress begun in 1985 which has been full of surprise and success. Today Planeta’s Chardonnay is an icon for the whole of Sicily. The vines of Ulmo and Maroccoli which create it are unique in their location and terroir. Its fermentation and maturing in French barrels, which by now has been carefully planned for years, delivers an extraordinarily graceful, powerful wine Vinification Following destemming, gentle crushing and static settling at low temperatures. Inoculation with selected yeasts when clear, fermentation and maturation in new oak casks for 50% and year-old casks for the remaining 50%. Malolactic fermentation in cask for 15% of the total Ageing potential To drink at once or keep up to 6-8 years Tasting notes Colour Golden yellow with lively green glints Nose Rich and intense. Aromas of peach, golden apple, white figs, vanilla cream, meringue. Hints of hazelnut and ‘zagara’ honey.