In the glass
Aroma: strawberry, dried cherry, wild herbs, iron
Palate: red berry, bitter almond, mineral, fresh acidity
Named after the SP68 road through Vittoria, Occhipinti's signature blend is a Frappato-dominant light red of extraordinary mineral lift, wild-berry purity and racy acidity.
What it pairs with
-
Pasta con le sarde
Frappato's brightness and Nero d'Avola's depth together navigate the sardine-fennel-currant complexity. -
Grilled swordfish with salmoriglio
Light body and racy acidity complement grilled fish without overpowering the herb-lemon sauce. -
Fresh burrata with tomatoes
The wine's delicate tannins and red-berry fruit pair beautifully with the creamy cheese.
How to serve Occhipinti SP68 Rosso
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Pasta con le sarde, Grilled swordfish with salmoriglio, Fresh burrata with tomatoes. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Arianna Occhipinti started making wine in 2004 at age 21, naming her debut bottling for the provincial road her vines border. SP68 Rosso blends Frappato and Nero d'Avola from organically farmed low-yielding plots and is distributed widely on the European natural-wine market.
- 2004 — First SP68 Rosso produced from Occhipinti's 1-hectare plot
Facts
- Producer
- Arianna Occhipinti
- Grapes
- Frappato (70%), Nero d'Avola (30%)
- Classification
- IGP Terre Siciliane
- Oak
- Aged in large old oak casks, 8-10 months
- ABV
- 13.0%
- Price
- EUR 24-34 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3-10 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2004
- Biodynamic
- Biodynamic Practicing
- Organic
- ORGANIC CERTIFIED
Frequently asked about Occhipinti SP68 Rosso
What does Occhipinti SP68 Rosso taste like?
On the nose, strawberry, dried cherry, wild herbs, iron. On the palate, red berry, bitter almond, mineral, fresh acidity. Structurally light-bodied, low tannins, racy acidity with a mineral, persistent finish. Named after the SP68 road through Vittoria, Occhipinti's signature blend is a Frappato-dominant light red of extraordinary mineral lift, wild-berry purity and racy acidity.
When should I drink Occhipinti SP68 Rosso?
Drink 3-10 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Occhipinti SP68 Rosso?
Pasta con le sarde is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Grilled swordfish with salmoriglio and Fresh burrata with tomatoes. Frappato's brightness and Nero d'Avola's depth together navigate the sardine-fennel-currant complexity.
What grapes are in Occhipinti SP68 Rosso?
The blend is Frappato (70%), Nero d'Avola (30%). The wine is classified as IGP Terre Siciliane.