<p>Learn Sicilian wine secrets and taste one of the rarest light bodied red wines called Frappato – a must try for Pinot lovers.</p>
<p>The wine in this video is from <a href="https://winefolly.com/club/" title="Learn more about Wine Folly Club">Wine Folly Club!</a></p>


Learn Sicilian wine secrets and taste one of the rarest light bodied red wines called Frappato – a must try for Pinot lovers.

The wine in this video is from [Wine Folly Club!](https://winefolly.com/club/ "Learn more about Wine Folly Club")

Sicily's Rarest Red is a Ringer for Pinot Noir

<p>You’ve probably heard the claim: the shape of your wine glass can transform the flavor of your wine. But is it science or just a very convincing placebo? The debate has raged for decades, starting with <a href="https://www.riedel.com/en-us">Claus Riedel</a> in 1958, who insisted that glass geometry could impact taste. </p>
<p><em>From our sponsor: Riedel on <a href="https://www.riedel.com/en-us/blog/education/how-to-start-your-wine-glass-collection">starting your wine glass collection</a>.</em></p>
<h2 id="the-origins-of-glass-geometry">The Origins of Glass Geometry</h2>
<p>Claus Riedel spent years perfecting varietal-specific glasses, believing each shape could highlight the best characteristics of a particular wine. Today, the concept of “varietal-specific” glassware is widely accepted — but why?</p>
<p>It comes down to how wine interacts with the glass. The bowl size, rim diameter, and taper can all influence the flow of wine onto your palate, as well as <a href="https://winefolly.com/deep-dive/where-wine-flavors-come-from/">how aromas concentrate</a> above the rim. </p>
<p>Recent research has visualized what was once invisible. A 2015 study from Tokyo Medical and Dental University used a “sniffer camera” to track ethanol vapor rising from wine, showing how glass shape affects evaporation. Swiss physicists also examined the fluid dynamics of swirling wine, demonstrating how curvature and rim angle influence the way aromas reach your nose.
These “vapor rings” and flow patterns mean that the right glass can enhance both aroma and perceived flavor. That doesn’t mean every expensive glass is better, but shape — and quality — does matter.</p>
<h2 id="identifying-quality-glassware">Identifying Quality Glassware</h2>
<p>Not all glasses are created equal. Look for four key markers of quality:</p>
<p><strong>Material</strong>: Thin, lead-free crystal enhances aroma without compromising durability.</p>
<p><strong>Rim</strong>: A finely polished rim allows wine to flow smoothly onto the tongue.</p>
<p><strong>Shape</strong>: Proper bowl curvature and taper focus aromas.</p>
<p><strong>Balance</strong>: A well-weighted base improves handling and swirling.</p>
<p>These indicators help you pick glasses that enhance flavor <a href="https://shop.winefolly.com/collections/glassware">without requiring a luxury budget</a>.</p>
<h2 id="verdict-placebo-or-physics">Verdict: Placebo or Physics?</h2>
<p>Science confirms that glass shape affects ethanol evaporation and aroma delivery. That doesn’t make enjoyment any less personal (your palate still matters), but it proves that the right glass can subtly influence your tasting experience. </p>
<p>Whether you’re swirling a <a href="https://winefolly.com/wines/bordeaux-blend-red/">Bordeaux</a> or sipping a <a href="https://winefolly.com/grapes/sauvignon-blanc/">Sauvignon Blanc</a>, thoughtful glassware enhances both aroma and flavor.</p>
<p>For a deeper dive, check out our <a href="https://winefolly.com/tips/the-importance-of-a-proper-wine-glass/">Wine Glass Guide</a>.</p>
<hr>
<p><strong>Sources:</strong></p>
<p>🔬 <em><a href="https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2015/an/c4an02390k">The Ethanol Vapor Study</a>:</em> &quot;A sniffer-camera for imaging of ethanol vaporization&quot; (Mitsubayashi et al., 2015)</p>
<p>🌪️ <em><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5710/4/1/3">The Swirl Physics</a>:</em> &quot;The Physics of Wine Swirling&quot; (Reclari et al., 2011)</p>
<hr>
<p><em>This video is sponsored by Riedel. While we partnered with them to demonstrate these concepts, the science regarding glass geometry, rim thickness, and vapor pressure applies to all glassware. We want you to have the tools to spot quality, no matter what you buy.</em></p>


Wine Glasses: Science or Scam – The Riedel Story

<p>Hungary has a way of making you rethink everything you think you know about wine. Positioned at the crossroads of Europe, this country boasts a rich <a href="https://hungary.guides.winefolly.com/history/">winemaking heritage</a> that dates back over a thousand years. From the sunlit hills of Tokaj, famed for its golden Aszú wines, to the bold and spicy reds of Eger, Hungary offers a spectrum of flavors that demand attention.</p>
<p>Love crisp whites, earthy reds, or luscious dessert wines? Hungary’s <a href="https://hungary.guides.winefolly.com/wines/">native grapes</a>, like Furmint and Kadarka, deliver something fresh and unexpected for every palate. With <a href="https://hungary.guides.winefolly.com/terroir/">volcanic soils</a>, diverse microclimates, and a proud tradition of craftsmanship, Hungarian wines stand out as a vibrant expression of place and history.</p>
<p>Intrigued? Dive into our <a href="https://hungary.guides.winefolly.com">Hungary Region Guide</a> to uncover fascinating wine facts and explore iconic styles. </p>


Guide to Hungarian Wine

<p>Introducing Cava, Spain’s incredible sparkling wine. Forget pricey bottles — Cava offers amazing quality at a fraction of the cost.
Learn more at <a href="https://www.cava.wine/en/">www.cava.wine</a>.</p>
<p>International Cava Day is on July 12th. #CAVADAY, a worldwide celebration of Cava and its versatility.</p>
<h2 id="whats-in-this-video">What&#39;s In This Video?</h2>
<h3 id="origins-and-production">Origins and Production</h3>
<ul>
<li>Cava hails from the Comtats de Barcelona (same area as Penedès region) near Barcelona.</li>
<li>Its production method, which mirrors Champagne&#39;s, was established in 1872. It involves a secondary fermentation inside the bottle.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="quality-attributes">Quality Attributes</h3>
<ul>
<li>Cava features fine, mousse-like bubbles and rich aromas such as brioche, marzipan, and toasted nuts derived from extended bottle aging.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="unique-spanish-characteristics">Unique Spanish Characteristics</h3>
<ul>
<li>Cava primarily uses three native Spanish grapes — Macabeo, Parellada, and Xarel·lo — contributing to its lean and savory fruit profile.</li>
<li>The Comtats de Barcelona has a higher elevation and also ensures grapes with higher acidity, which is essential for excellent sparkling wine.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="classifications">Classifications</h3>
<p>Cava is categorized into four quality levels:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Cava de Guarda</strong>: Common and typically brut (dry), these wines emphasize the fruitiness of the grapes and serve as great palate cleansers.</li>
<li><strong>Cava de Guarda Superior</strong>: <ul>
<li>This includes Reserva and Gran Reserva wines, which spend more time aging and thus develop nuttier, brioche-like flavors and a creamy texture.</li>
<li>Paraje Calificado: The highest tier, these rare wines come from single vineyards aged for over three years on tirage, offering complex and unique profiles comparable to top-tier vintage Champagnes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="tasting-and-serving-tips">Tasting and Serving Tips</h3>
<ul>
<li>Opening a Bottle: Keep the cage on the cork while loosening it to control the release and prevent accidents. Pour the wine at a 45° angle to preserve bubbles.</li>
<li>Aging Potential: Cava can be aged to develop more complex flavors and a deeper golden color.</li>
</ul>
<p>Join Wine Folly’s wine learning email → <a href="https://wfol.ly/newsletter">https://wfol.ly/newsletter</a></p>
<p>For more about Cava → <a href="https://winefolly.com/tips/what-is-cava/">https://winefolly.com/tips/what-is-cava/</a></p>
<hr>


Spain’s One Region Devoted Entirely to Sparkling Wine

Vittoria

Frappato

A rare and exclusive grape variety cultivated on only a few hectares, it is best expressed in the red sands of Vittoria, not far from the sea. An aromatic and pleasant red wine as few others, a perfect synthesis between tradition and innovation.

'It is a new way of thinking about the journey through Sicily; after Menfi, Vittoria, then Noto, then Etna, then Milazzo. Not a random route, but one strongly linked to the variety of countryside, to the winds, to the character of the people and thus of their wine…’ Diego Planeta

Planeta’s story is one of courage and hard work, of innovation and tradition. 
The company and the family share their values, both with an eye to the future and with their feet firmly on the ground.
Courage and innovation since the 1990’s, due to several of that generation of the family then in their twenties led by Alessio Planeta and under the protective care of the founder Diego Planeta, who initiated a completely new project, placing wine in the centre of the family’s farming activities.

After establishing the first winery at Ulmo in 1994 the ‘Viaggio in Sicilia’ took off, in other words, the search for the best known areas of the island in order to create independent wineries and produce what would be considered the best wines in each area, working with indigenous vines while continuing to experiment with international varieties.  
These last were developed particularly at Menfi, the working centre of the company, where the number of vines and wineries always continued to increase.
The next stage of the journey took place at Vittoria in 1997, where the only Sicilian DOCG, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, then existed, initially with vineyards and followed up with the purchase of the Dorilli estate. Next Noto in 1998 with the acquisition of Buonivini and with the specific intention of achieving the excellence of Nero d’Avola within its region of origin. Then Etna with the acquisition of the first 12 hectares of land at Sciaranuova on the northern slopes of the volcano in 2008, and the gradual purchase of more land bringing the total area to 40 hectares, devoted to Nerello Mascalese and Carricante, with small trial areas of Pinot Noir and Riesling.

This wonderful journey has for the moment finished at Capo Milazzo, and the tiny winery of Baronia, where since 2011 the focus has been on the DOC Mamertino and various antique indigenous varieties, particularly Nocera.

All this began from that first venture at Ulmo, the estate acquired by the family through marriage in 1694, 17 generations ago, and since then always cultivated with vines and olives; an authentic family tradition.

Now exists their obligation; the values which have always directed the company are tradition, research, the work ethic and respect for the land; to contribute to the progress of the community where they operate; to safeguard the beauty and environmental integrity of those places.  This last element is particularly loaded with meaning due to the particular beauty of the areas where the vineyards and wineries are sited.  Ulmo, Dispensa, Dorilli, Buonivini, Sciaranuova and La Baronia are unforgettable places, emphasising the saying that good wines are made in beautiful places.
Today there are overall 395 hectares and 7 wineries in five different areas.  Each winery has its leading wine-maker, each one is wholly part of its territory on which it is  modelled.

Four of the five wineries produce exclusively grapes and wines certified as organic;
Planeta has subscribed to SOStain’s protocol of sustainability since its inception, a further guarantee of their attention to the environment and to the land.  It is sufficient to visit any one of the wineries to understand to what extent the environment, the countryside and the culture are fundamental values of the company.
 


Planeta is not solely concerned with wine.  In the flora and fauna oasis of Capparrina (Menfi), owned by the family since the 19th century, 148 hectares of olive grove have been planted since 1998.  The olives – Nocellara del Belice, Biancolilla and Cerasuola – are processed as soon as harvested at the olive press in the centre of the estate; the result is an IGP extra-virgin olive oil which has been awarded various national and international awards.

Finally Planeta has devoted increasing investment and resources, under the guidance of Francesca Planeta, to the development of property activities and particularly to high-profile hospitality.  This began with La Foresteria, the Menfi wine resort established in 2009 and inscribed in the Ecoluxury list, to be followed with Palazzo Planeta in Palermo and Le Case Sparse at Noto.
In addition three of the estates – Ulmo, Buonivini and Sciaranuova – have in their turn become centres of hospitality linked to wine tourism (tastings, events, experiences, wine sales) and fully represent the synthesis of Planeta’s activities and their vision.


Sicily's Rarest Red is a Ringer for Pinot Noir

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