Ecco Domani

Humility is a trait that is frequently overlooked and must occasionally be relearned. We have recently had such an incident and were taught a valuable lesson about prejudging anything
When we were first introduced to the wines of Ecco Domani, we believed, based on our years of experience that a wine of quality could not be made in the hot, sweltering, humid climate of Sicily. To us, even the thought was ludicrous and we approached the wines with a very casual attitude, in anticipation of a huge disappointment. To produce decent wines, it is a known fact that grapes need warm days and cool nights and Sicily is not noted for its cool, balmy evenings. We were wrong; very, very, very wrong.
What we forgot was geography. While Sicily is known for its hot and humid climate, we neglected to take into consideration that there are some very high mountainous plains on that island that are blessed with cool nights and balmy days and is where the grapes for Ecco Domani Sicilian wines come from.

Ecco Domani 2008 Pinot Noir ($14.99). Anyone who has read our columns knows that we are pinot noir lovers, take the variety very seriously and have been known to be merciless with wines that do not achieve the quality the grape is capable of. The Ecco Domani 2008 Pinot Noir is not only a good wine, it is an excellent wine. Ecco Domani presents this wine au natural, without any oak aging, allowing the true glories of the wine to be experienced without any external influences. The color is on the light side, a trait which is common for pinot noir and the aroma is the expected cherry with a noticeable hint of blackberry in the background. The flavor continues the cherry and blackberry and finishes in a soft cloud of fruit. This is really a very nice wine that is worth every penny of its reasonable price and a must to try.

Ecco Domani 2008 Merlot ($14.99). The Ecco Domani 2008 Merlot is another high mountain grown grape variety that beats the normal odds for quality grape from a hot climate. This wine too is made without any oak aging and is soft, with none of the harsh elements that usually have to be aged away, because there is nothing harsh to be aged away. The wine displays a bold blackberry flavor with a background of black cherries and a fascinating earthy under flavor. This earthy component adds another layer of character and complexity to the wine. The wine finishes in a burst of fruit flavors that linger in the mouth for an incredibly long time. This wine is a real winner and an interesting departure from the “others.”

Ecco Domani 2008 Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie ($9.99). Sicily did not seem the ideal place for another Italian favorite, Pinot Grigio. Not to be deterred, the Ecco Domani vintners headed up to an area north of Venice called, La Venezie which is about as far north as one can go and still remain in Italy. The Ecco Domani 2008 Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie is composed of 90% pinot grigio grapes with an additional 10% of Chardonnay grapes, also grown in La Venezie, , to soften the acid that naturally occurs in the pinot grigio grapes grown in this region and also to expand the fresh fruit flavor. This almost colorless wine is very smooth and silky with a big and expansive aroma of apples, peaches, summer flowers and honey. The flavors too are equally expansive, stressing citrus and pineapple with hints of peach and spice. The finish of this wine is very long and fruity and stays in the mouth long after it has been swallowed. Try this exceptional wine with chicken dishes as well as with the traditional seafood and pastas. With wines made from the pinot grigio grape becoming more and more popular in the United States, this wine should be an immediate success, so shop early.