Effe Emme

Following a pattern set in recent years, rainfall levels in 2020 were very low. A period of cold at the beginning of the year aided vine dormancy and made for optimal pruning conditions.

Vegetative growth began in early March, almost two weeks earlier than average; this precocity continued through flowering and fruit set thanks to higher spring temperatures which persisted through the month of May.

The dry spell broke at the beginning of June with a few light showers which came just in time to replenish water supplies for the summer months. After two atypical years, summer fell back into a more normal rhythm for Sicily with very hot dry days and sharp temperature drops overnight. This pattern continued until the end of September, allowing bunches to mature fully and grapes to develop interesting aromatic properties.

The wines promise to be display prominent mineral notes, and to be pleasantly acidic.

Beginning of the harvest: August 27th

End of the harvest: September 30th

Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 174 mm

Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4114 °C

Evaluation: Good

Winter temperatures were lower than average, with some frosts and a moderate amount of rain which gave the plants a healthy start. Mild spring temperatures aided vegetative growth and fruit set, which ended with the onset of heat on 3 June. It was an atypical summer for Sicily, with unstable temperatures that at times soared above 40°C (104°F) but also dropped off sharply at night, and constant light showers. This pushed the harvest back to ten days later than in previous years. The end result, however, was very satisfactory: a range of elegant wines fully in line with Zisola’s qualitative standards.

Beginning of the harvest: September 4th

End of the harvest: October 14th

Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 185 mm

Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4108 °C

Evaluation: Good

After a 2017 year characterised by severe drought, but with temperatures lower than the average, 2018 began with little rain which, however, did not affect the shoot growth from the end of March.
Spring was mild until May, when the climate dramatically changed, with a drop in temperature and very strong rainfall. Summer, too, was quite temperate, with many heavy showers; therefore, the harvest was postponed for 15 days.
This climatic trend continued throughout September, with mild temperatures during the day and cool ones at night, which favoured the proper ripening of the grapes. The result is satisfactory and confirms the results obtained in the previous years, with very elegant wines.

Beginning of the harvest: August 22nd
End of the harvest: September 28th
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 273 mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4130 °C
Evaluation: Good

This vintage was characterised by a strong drought: in fact, after the rain at the end of October 2015 and until spring, the rainfall was just 49 mm, with winter temperatures above 6° C and a following active growth occurring at least ten days earlier than the average. This anticipation has been observed until the second week of August when, with great concern, heavy showers adjusted the proper trend of the vintage and hydrated the plants. It is surely worth mentioning the two heat waves that hit Sicily: the first was recorded between June and July and the second at the beginning of August, reaching 42° C.

Generally, the cycle of vegetation were initially subjected to warm temperatures during the day and cold ones at night, which started the blossoming and the flowering ten days earlier than the previous vintage (which started in the second half of May), followed by a good fruit setting; the veraison, too, was anticipated with respect to the seasonal average.

This climatic and weather trend granted the good health both of the vines and the bunches, which were characterised by a strong peel just before the harvest. The result was very satisfying and represented a step forward compared to the previous vintages with wines rich in colorants and strong acidity.

Beginning of the harvest: 31/08

End of the harvest: 27/09

Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 225 mm

Legend

Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4,202°C

Legend

Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th)

Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th)

Evaluation: Outstanding

Winter was characterized by few relevant rainfalls and temperature slightly above the season’s average. Intense rainfalls started in spring followed by an instable season that lasted until August resulting in a colder summer compared to the last three years. This situation provided an optimal conditions of ripeness for the grapes. The harvest overall, presented grapes with great levels of color, acidity and PH providing harmonious, structured and complex wines.

Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 72mm

Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4,409°C

Evaluation: Very good

The winter temperature and rainfall until the middle of March were slightly higher than average.

This dry period was characterised by temperature conditions that were perfect for the constant and continuous growth of the vines and grapes.

The grapes ripened perfectly from a health and maturity point of view. The harvest gave exceptional grapes, in particular for the Nero d’Avola , with high concentrations of colour, excellent acidity and PH content and a balanced sugar content.

Beginning harvest: 28/08

End of harvest: 20/09

Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 44mm

Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4338°C

Evaluation: Very good / Excellent (Nero D’Avola)

The 2013 year in Sicily was characterised by unusual weather conditions, somehow in line with the previous year. In winter the weather was mainly unsettled with temperatures higher than the seasonal average values by 3° C. The blossoming - which occurred at the end of March for Nero Avola - and the growth in April were accompanied by a high humidity, followed by ideal conditions for flowering in the first decade of May. In summer the weather was stable with a low rainfall level, together with sirocco in the second half of June and in the first decade of July. From the middle of August, the average temperatures fell below the average values. The lack of significant rainfall and the low relative humidity enhanced the ripening of the grapes, featuring a high amount of colorants and refined aromatic substances.

Beginning of the harvest: 28/08

End of the harvest: 24/09

Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 98 mm

Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4,369°C

Evaluation: Good / Very good

This year Zisola benefited from optimal weather conditions. Therefore, this harvest is particularly promising, with a concentrated wine characterised by strong fruity scents and bright colours. After a winter period mainly cold and rainy, the rain was abundant until the middle of March. Spring was hot and dry, with temperatures already reaching 30°C in the first half of the season. Summer was warmer than the seasonal average values, with small and positive increases in the temperatures in July and August. Thanks to the poor rain in summer, the conditions were ideal for the phytosanitary health of the grapes. The lack of rain persisted even after the harvest.

Beginning of the harvest: 29/08

End of the harvest: 22/09

Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 104 mm

Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4,440 °C

Evaluation: Good

In autumn and winter the rain was particularly abundant in terms of both the rainfall in mm and the number of rainy days; this low-pressure system coming from Northern Africa increased the average winter temperatures by about 1.5 ° C with respect to the average values recorded in the last 15 years. This condition anticipated the blossoming by approximately 6 days, while the spring-summer period until the second decade of July was regular without any particular phenomena. From the end of July until the middle of August, 3 heat waves were recorded with peaks of 41° C in conjunction with sirocco; this condition increased the sugar amounts and caused the dehydration of the grapes exposed to direct radiation. In the last week of August there was a dramatic change until the first decade of October with temperatures well below the seasonal average values. Upon the harvest, in addition to the ideal sugar content, the grapes reached an excellent phenolic ripening together with an ideal acidity. These features of the grapes yielded wines characterised by high complexity and soft tannins paired with a touch of acidity which enriches the wine with remarkable freshness and elegance.

Beginning of the harvest: 29/08

End of the harvest: 26/09

Evaluation: Very good