Episode 5: The Quiet Rebellion of Chilled Red Wines - Sicilian Frappato

Break the Rules: Chill the Reds

Welcome to July's theme on Renegade: Chill the Red - Break the rules. This month, we’re embracing a quieter kind of rebellion—one that lives in your wine glass. In our newest episode, we spotlight a red that thrives outside the rules: Frappato, specifically the 2023 vintage from the iconic Sicilian winery COS.

We also tell the story of one of Sicily’s most celebrated natural winemakers and Frappato’s fiercest champion: Arianna Occhipinti. If you've ever wondered what chilled red wine can do—or what it means to rewrite tradition from the inside out—this episode is for you.

What Is Frappato—and Why Chill It?

Frappato is a light-bodied, aromatic red grape indigenous to southeastern Sicily. Known for its high acidity, soft tannins, and lifted floral-and-berry aromatics, it’s a natural fit for chilling—despite everything the old rules say about red wine.

But Frappato isn’t just a flavor—it’s a philosophy.

When chilled, Frappato flips the script:

• Brighter fruit: Think tart cherry, pomegranate, red currant.

• Clean lines: No oak, no excess extraction—just raw beauty.

• Fresh structure: Acidity sings when cold, making it perfect for summer sipping and unexpected food pairings.

Featured Wine: 2023 COS Frappato

Founded in 1980 by three friends (Cilia, Occhipinti, and Strano—hence COS), this natural winery has become one of Sicily’s most influential producers, known for amphora aging, native grapes, and a refusal to bend to industrial pressure.

The 2023 COS Frappato is:

• Biodynamic & minimal intervention

• Fermented in concrete, aged in neutral Slavonian oak

• Bursting with notes of wild strawberry, blood orange, rose petal, and a savory herbal undertone

• Light and elegant but complex

This is the wine that turns skeptics into chilled-red converts.

The Story of Arianna Occhipinti

In this episode, we also share the story of Arianna Occhipinti, a natural wine pioneer and the niece of COS co-founder Giusto Occhipinti. Arianna launched her own label at just 21 years old, working in Vittoria and championing native varieties like Frappato and Nero d’Avola.

Her wines—and her voice—embody a rebellious, grounded femininity. She farms biodynamically, refuses additives, and insists on wines that speak plainly of place. Arianna didn’t just inherit a legacy—she carved out her own.

“I don't want perfect wines. I want real wines. I want wines that are alive.”
— Arianna Occhipinti

Her work with Frappato helped reframe it not as a blending grape but as a standalone varietal worthy of attention—and, yes, of chilling.

How to Serve Chilled Red Wine Like a Renegade

Want to join the quiet rebellion? Here's your cheat sheet:

1. Chill to 52–56°F (11–13°C) — about 20 minutes in the fridge or 10 minutes in an ice bucket.

2. Use a white wine glass — to preserve aromatics and chill.

3. Pair boldly — chilled Frappato is dreamy with grilled veggies, cold cuts, tomato salads, or even anchovy pizza.

4. Ditch the rules — trust your mouth, not a dusty wine guide.

Join the Movement

This month, we’re breaking free from wine dogma and embracing the elegance of chillable reds. Sicilian Frappato—especially from producers like COS and Arianna Occhipinti—shows how wine can be both rebellious and refined.

🔊 Listen to the episode now for tasting notes, backstory, and bold opinions.
📦 Join the Ritual Box - discover more wines to break the rules and break you out of your wine rut. 
📸 Show us your chilled reds on Instagram—tag @joinblackthorn and use #ChillTheReds.

Frappato isn’t just a grape—it’s a statement. A whisper of rebellion in your wine glass. Drink it cold. Drink it often. Drink it like the rule-breaker you are.