Tanca Nica, Firri Firri, 2022

Pomegranate, Mandarin Liquorice

Sicily / Pink / Cataratto, Pignatello, Inzolia / Organic, Biodynamic

Firri Firri is a traditional hoe used in the vineyards, and also the nickname of the old vignaiolo who previously owned the land. 50yo bush vines on volcanic sand, a cool NE exposed plot at 300m altitude, the vines were harvested at the end of September, and the whole bunches were processed altogether – three days maceration, fermentation and ageing in vats. Blended with 10% of 'riserva perpetua' before bottling, 15mg/l SO2 total.  

Notes on the producer

Lost between Africa and Europe, Pantelleria is (geographically speaking) more a Tunisian outpost than an offshoot of the Italian peninsula. With a diverse ecosystem, complex history, and culture intertwined with Arabic influence – Pantelleria is a world apart. Tanca Nica is run by Nicoletta Pecorelli, originally from Sardinia, and Francesco Ferreri, born and bred in Pantelleria. Francesco got the wine bug at a young age, inspired by his grandfather while making wine with him. He already knew he wanted to be a vignaiolo aged 14yo, and left Pantelleria to study at the renowned agricultural and oenological boarding school. Most of Pantelleria’s vineyards are located in the W/NW part of the island, protected from the Sirocco winds by the Montagna Grande (836m). They grow on two main types of soils: 'Soki Soki' – a light sandy soil made of pumice (frothy lava rock) and lapilli (fragments ejected from a volcanic eruption), the name itself is an onomatopoeia from the sound of footsteps on that particular ground. The work only with indigenous varietals Cataratto, Pignatello & Zibibbo (aka Muscat d’Alexandrie) which are all incredibly well suited to this landscape.