COS Frappato 2023
We have 12 in stock (Inventory is live and accurate)
The Land
Grown in the sun-soaked southeast corner of Sicily, near the town of Vittoria, the Frappato vines of COS root deeply into red sand and limestone soils just a few kilometers from the Mediterranean Sea. The climate here is classically Mediterranean—warm, dry, and wind-swept—but moderated by coastal breezes that preserve the grape’s naturally high acidity and aromatic delicacy. This corner of Sicily, where ancient Greek and Roman histories layer the land, offers a singular environment where Frappato can express both brightness and depth with effortless grace.
The Wine
The 2023 Frappato is a study in purity. It pours a translucent ruby, with highly lifted aromas of sour cherry, pomegranate, blood orange, and dried rose petals. The palate is supple and vivid, marked by red berries, a hint of wild herbs, and that signature Frappato spice—light-bodied yet deeply evocative. Fermented spontaneously in concrete and aged without oak, the wine stays close to its origins: fresh, vibrant, and quietly soulful. It finishes with gentle tannins and a savory mineral thread, a wine that hums rather than shouts.
The People
COS was founded and named after three friends in 1980—Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti, and Cirino Strano—who saw potential in Sicily’s native varieties and ancient winemaking traditions. Today, under the stewardship of Giusto and Giambattista, COS is a beacon of biodynamic farming and low-intervention winemaking in the region. Their approach is rooted in respect: for the land, for the grape, and for the rhythms of nature. With Frappato, they showcase not just a grape, but a philosophy—one that prizes elegance over power, and authenticity over artifice.
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Sicily, Italy’s largest island, blends ancient wine traditions with a fresh wave of modern creativity. Its star red grape, Nero d’Avola, thrives in the island’s warm, sun-soaked climate, producing intensely flavored wines with dark fruit and a hint of savory spice. Along the western coast lies the historic heartland of Marsala, a fortified wine prized for both sweet and dry styles. Rising above the island’s varied landscapes is Mount Etna, an active volcano whose mineral-rich soils and cooler elevations result in elegantly structured reds and nuanced whites. From coast to crater, Sicily’s wine culture is as diverse and vibrant as the region itself.
Italy - Sicily
Frappato is a light-bodied, aromatic red grape variety native to Sicily, known for producing wines with vibrant red fruit flavors, particularly cherry and strawberry, often accompanied by floral notes. It thrives in the warm Mediterranean climate and sandy soils of the region, creating fresh, lively wines with soft tannins and a hint of spice. Frappato is often blended with Nero d'Avola to create the famous Cerasuolo di Vittoria, but it also shines as a standalone varietal wine, offering a unique expression of Sicilian terroir.
Frappato
Practicing Biodynamic vineyard farming follows the core principles of biodynamics—treating the vineyard as a self-sustaining, living organism and aligning farming activities with lunar and cosmic rhythms—but without formal certification. These vineyards often use compost preparations, herbal sprays, and homeopathic remedies to nourish the soil and promote vine health, while fostering biodiversity and natural balance. Many small or artisan producers embrace biodynamics philosophically and practically but choose not to pursue certification due to its cost, administrative demands, or philosophical preference for independence. As a result, practicing biodynamic farms often reflect a deep, holistic commitment to the land, even without the official label.
