Tannu Bianco di Sicilia IGT 2014

If you have a raw talent, let it shine. That's what we say. Subo had a talent, she let it shine: some would say the world's better for it. Likewise David Blaine: he knew he could sit in boxes and stuff to get people's attention and he did. Fair play.

The producers of Tannu have recognised the raw talent of their Sicilian grapes, and know that they needn't taint them with pesticides, fertilisers or fancy techniques to make great wines: they know that, left to their own devices, the grapes produce flipping lovely, crisp, lemon and pineapple-scented beauties, just like this one. They are so right. Let it shine people, let it shine.

Orion Wines was founded in 2010 by Luca Pomaro and Alessandro Michelon. Working to each of their strengths, they have combined great market awareness and a profound knowledge of winemaking and they aim to produce the most interesting wines possible at fair prices. To do this they have taken full control of every step from the vineyards to the vinification, straight through to the packaging and marketing. To make this possible, Orion has tied strong commercial relations with a small number of growers and estates in different areas of Italy. Orion has complete control of the vineyards and works closely with their partners and their own winemakers to create ranges that represent the essence and typicity of that particular region, while still keeping an eye on the needs of the ever-evolving international wine aficionado.

Alessandro Michelon is a native of Italy, growing up in Trentino, Northern Italy. Alessandro’s love of winemaking developed in his younger years, helping his family in their own vineyards of Valle di Cembra. His passion for the vineyards was so strong that he decided to attend the Istituto Agrario di San Michele, a respected oenological school, from where he graduated in 1998. After high school, Alessandro gained experience in the Trentino Wineries and in 2000 he joined one of the biggest Italian wine companies focused on export markets. During these years, he acquired a profound knowledge of various regions of Italy and the differing tastes of consumers around the world. At the end of 2009 he left the company as chief winemaker and founded Orion Wines with another enthusiast.

In the old Sicilian tongue, Tannu means ‘back when’ and the producers interpret that as’back when agriculture was completely natural’. The wines are 100% organic, so they use no pesticides, no fertilisers; only the best, hand-selected and organic grapes, grown in the province of Trapani, in the southern Italian island of Sicily.

The two grape varieties are vinified separately using the same technique. Namely, the grapes are de-stemmed and softly pressed. The must is then chilled to 10C and left to rest for 48 hours. Fermentation is carried out using selected yeasts at a controlled temperature of 17C and lasts for about 10 days. Following fermentation, it is chilled down to 10C to avoid malolactic fermentation and left on its lees for 20 days to maximize its aromas.

Tannu Bianco di Sicilia IGT has an elegant pale yellow hue, with a bouquet reminiscent of pineapple and lemon. The palate is fresh and crisp, with a great minerality and a long and lingering finish. It’s perfect on its own or to accompany white meats, fish, pasta with white sauces.