Southern Italy Wine Tasting: Taste of the Mediterranean
This September, we explored Southern Italy at Stem Wine Bar. First, we enjoyed our classic Italian cocktail, Cocchi Rosa with blood-orange liqueur, prosecco, and a lemon twist. Then, we paired it with charcuterie and a baked goat cheese dip topped with Medjool dates, bacon, pistachios, and balsamic. Under Paul’s inviting lead, we tasted our way from crisp coastal whites to bold volcanic reds. Ready to dive into the wines, regional notes, and artful pairings?
A Quick Sip of Southern Italy
Southern Italy is defined by stark contrasts. First, sun-drenched islands meet volcanic soils and centuries-old terroirs. In Campania, Greco di Tufo bursts with peach, pear, and vivid minerality. Meanwhile, Basilicata’s Aglianico del Vulture is bold, structured, and often dubbed the “Barolo of the South.” On Sicily, Nero d’Avola impresses with rich, fruit-forward depth, while high-elevation Nerello Mascalese brings refined elegance, red cherry notes, and a crisp, mineral finish.
Round 1: Coastal Breezes & Volcanic Whites
Claudio Quarta, Greco di Tufo 2023, Greco
Food Pairing: Burrata with green tomato jam on ciabatta
- Smell & Taste: Peach, sage, ginger, hazelnut, mint, cedar, white pepper, vanilla, and chalk
- Winery Note: Claudio Quarta believes that “wine isn’t just what we find in the glass, but above all what is behind the glass.” His wines embody this philosophy—offering more than flavor by capturing the emotion, tradition, and labor of the vineyards. From his decision to leave his career in pharmaceuticals and return to his Southern roots, Quarta’s wines are built on storytelling, passion, and a soulful connection to land and heritage.
- Pairing Highlight: The creamy burrata and tangy tomato jam elevated the wine’s citrusy minerality. Indeed, it made for an elegant and balanced pairing.
Caruso & Minini, Terre Siciliane 2023, Catarratto
Food Pairing: Frutti di mare casarecce—shrimp, mussels, squid, herbs
- Smell & Taste: Lemon, honeysuckle, wet stone, orange peel, green apple, and salted almond
- Winery Note: Caruso & Minini traces its roots to the late 1800’s, when Antonio Caruso began providing grapes for Marsala producers. The operation evolved through the generations, and in 2004 Stefano Caruso joined forces with Mario Minini, launching the modern, heritage-forward winery in a restored early-20th-century Baglio. Today, the estate artfully blends centuries of tradition with contemporary precision.
- Pairing Highlight: The wine’s refreshing salinity mirrored the seafood’s oceanic flavors.
Round 2: Rustic Reds from the Hills
Valle Martello, Villamagna 2019, Montepulciano
Food Pairing: Nduja toast with ricotta and basil honey
- Smell & Taste: Black cherry, blackberry, plum, walnut, sweet tobacco, red currant, cinnamon, mulberry, and black pepper.
- Winery Note: Valle Martello spans 50 hectares (123 acres) of vineyards perched atop two opposing hilltops, one facing north, the other south, offering an ideal microclimate for grape selection. Situated between the Adriatic Sea and the Majella Mountains in Abruzzo’s Villamagna DOC, this geography allows for incredible flavor nuance in every vintage.
- Pairing Highlight: The spicy, creamy toast and honey brought out the wine’s depth and warmth.
Musto Carmelitano, Aglianico del Vulture 2020, Aglianico
Food Pairing: Pecorino with fig and lavender honey
- Smell & Taste: Dark plum, tobacco, firm tannins, minerality from volcanic soils
- Winery Note: Established in 1985 by the Musto Carmelitano family, this family-run estate is rooted in Maschito’s volcanic landscapes. Their Aglianico comes from ancient 80–100-year-old vines, including the “Pian del Moro” plot that was layered from the original century-old vines planted by the founder. Nestled on clay and volcanic soils at high altitude, they hand-harvest grapes and favor traditional, low-intervention winemaking for wines that reveal the deep volcanic soul of their land.
- Pairing Highlight: The floral and sweet nuances perfectly echoed the wine’s structured complexity.
Round 3: Sun-Kissed Depths of Sicily
Tenuta Regaleali, Terre Siciliane 2022, Nero d’Avola
Food Pairing: Paccheri with short rib ragù and pecorino romano
- Smell & Taste: Blackberry, clove, dark spice, silky tannins, a rich Sicilian expression
- Winery Note: Owned by the Tasca d’Almerita family since 1830, Tenuta Regaleali stands as a Sicilian viticultural oasis—spanning hundreds of hectares of vineyards and rich biodiversity nestled in the highlands of central Sicily. As one of Italy’s most enduring estates, it has long blended tradition and innovation, pioneering indigenous variety expression while adopting modern sustainability practices.
- Pairing Highlight: The savory ragu and pecorino mirrored the wine’s bold depth and warm fruit.
Masseria Li Veli ‘Primonero’, Salice Salentino 2020, Negroamaro
Food Pairing: Classic tiramisu
- Smell & Taste: Dark plum, licorice, soft tannins, warming spice, typical of rich Puglian black grapes
- Winery Note: Masseria Li Veli is nestled in the Salento region of Puglia, literally where land meets sea, situated halfway between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. This terroir, rich with history and shaped by coastal breezes, means the land has always served as a cultural crossroads dating back to the Messapi people, literally the “people between two seas.”
- Pairing Highlight: The tiramisu’s creamy sweetness matched the wine’s plush fruit and chocolate return.
Featured Flight: Volcanic Elegance & Highland Power
Graci, Rosso 2022, Nerello Mascalese
- Smell & Taste: Red cherry, rose petal, volcanic minerality, elegant and refined
- Winery Note: Alberto Aiello Graci remains unwavering in his commitment to local heritage, cultivating only traditional grape varieties indigenous to Mount Etna, including Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Carricante, and Catarratto. His philosophy is clear: “The land decides, not us.” He strives to respect Etna’s deep-rooted winemaking traditions and the distinct personality of each vintage, opting for organic farming, minimal intervention in the cellar, and large, well-seasoned wooden casks over barriques.
Elena Fucci ‘Titolo’, Aglianico del Vulture 2021, Aglianico
- Smell & Taste: Black cherry, graphite, taut tannins, bright acidity, built for aging.
- Winery Note: The Fucci family has nurtured their estate since the 1960s, when Elena’s grandfather acquired six hectares of vineyards atop Contrada Solagna in Titolo, at the foothills of the extinct Mount Vulture. For decades, the grapes were sold rather than crafted into wine, until Elena, defying the plan to sell, dedicated herself to producing a singular wine from their unique site. Today, ‘Titolo’ is a testament to that commitment, expressing volcanic minerality, intense character, and a profound sense of place.
My Favorite Bites of the Night
Above all, the pecorino with fig and lavender honey balanced flavor and elegance in every bite. The paccheri ragù was comfort food elevated, rich, and cozy. And the tiramisu? A sweet, creamy coda that wrapped up the tasting on a sublime note.
Coming Soon: Northern Italy in October
Next stop: Northern Italy. Think Barolo, Barbaresco, and lush alpine whites.
📅 Dates: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays throughout October 2025
📍 Location: Stem Wine Bar, 1311 Johnson Ferry Rd Ste 516, Marietta, GA 30068
🎟️ Tickets: Available on Eventbrite
Explore More Tastings
If you’re craving more global sips, explore how this Southern Italy wine tasting compares to our Oregon & Washington and Spain wine tasting adventures.
