We fell in love with Millami Estate and its IGP Terre Siciliane wines. Located in Marsala, at the western tip of Sicily, facing the Tyrrhenian Sea, this vineyard is irresistible. 

A UNIQUE MICROCLIMATE 

Twelve hectares (being converted to organic) spread over eight plots and planted with nine grape varieties: Catarratto, Grillo, Inzolia, Zibibbo in white, Nerello Mascalese, Frappato, Nero d'Avola, Merlot in red, as well as a little Pinot Gris. Fabio Diego MORSELLO ANGILERI (Fabio for his friends), who cut his teeth in Châteauneuf-du-Pape in particular, is at the head of the family estate. “My grandparents started cultivating vines in the 1950s. The smell of musts and wines is an integral part of my childhood“.

 

Wine Explorers : What makes your vineyard unique?
Fabio : The great diversity of terroirs in the same place. Our eight plots are all located in different geographical areas of Marsala. As a result, the soils, the microclimate, the altitude, the proximity to the sea and consequently the maturities of the same grape variety change from one plot to another.

W.E. : Where do LAYLA & IL FOLLE names come from?
Fabio : Layla (Leila) is a feminine Arabic given name meaning “as black as night”. These two wines thus pay homage to the hidden and kept secret love between the two protagonists of the literary short story LAYLA AND MAJNÛN - also known as LAYLA E IL FOLLE.

LAYLA 2021 : 100% Inzolia, on limestone soils. Vinified in stainless steel vats with carbonic maceration (whole bunches) for 9 days. Spontaneous fermentation of indigenous yeasts. Aging on lees, 9 months in stainless steel vats and 3 months in bottle. 12.5% alc. About 20€ on the web. Complex nose with aromas of lime blossom, quince, white peach, fresh almond and spices (cinnamon, cardamom). Very nice tension in the mouth with chewiness and a certain length .

IL FOLLE 2021 : 100% Nerello Mascalese, on clay soils. Vinified in stainless steel vats with carbonic maceration (whole bunches) for 11 days. Spontaneous fermentation of indigenous yeasts. Aging on lees, 9 months in stainless steel vats and 3 months in bottle. 11% alc. About 20€ on the web. Gourmet nose, with aromas of cherry, raspberry, dried herbs, liquorice and violet. Tannins present but melted, fresh finish with lots of sparkle. 

W.E. : Your favorite pairing with these two wines?
Fabio : With LAYLA 2021, you can play on the iodine and fat of sushi, or on the sweetness of an apple crumble“. With Il Folle, I love Pasta alla Norma!