Tasca Regaleali Cygnus Sicilia DOC

A Sicilian red wine with an unusual history: the Cygnus carries the swan in its name – and thus the memory of Richard Wagner's visit to Villa Tasca in 1881, where the composer completed the final pages of Parsifal.

The Tasca d'Almerita winery cultivates the Regaleali estate in the heart of Sicily, far from the coast at about 400 meters altitude. The altitude brings cool nights that preserve acidity and freshness for the vines – unusual for an island that one associates more with sun and warmth. The Cygnus matures in barriques and thus combines Sicilian fruit depth with structuring wood influence.

In the glass, it shows raspberry, blackberry, and dark cherry, plus notes of tobacco and dark chocolate from the barrel aging. On the palate, balanced: good acidity, fine tannins, a spicy, full finish without heaviness. James Suckling rates it with 91 points.

• Food: Roasted lamb, wild boar ragù, mature Pecorino Siciliano
• Temperature: 16–18 °C