Etna Rosso Contrada Rampante DOC 2020 Pietradolce

What type of wine is it

Etna Rosso Contrada Rampante by Pietradolce is a Sicilian red wine made from pre-phylloxera vines aged 80–90 years, located on the slopes of Etna. The altitude gives it an elegant and precise style, with good aromatic intensity and a clear mineral imprint. Vinification includes gentle pressing and 14 months of ageing in French oak tonneaux, designed to offer structure and depth without overshadowing the local terroir. The wine is made from Nerello Mascalese grapes.

Where it comes from

This wine comes from Contrada Rampante, on the Etna slope in Sicily, with vineyards at an altitude of 900 meters. The high elevation guides the wine towards a tighter, more linear profile, often described as having Alpine elegance. The identity of this contrada is also tied to a rare heritage of pre-phylloxera vines 80–90 years old, which help preserve the wine’s expressive continuity.

How it is made

The Nerello Mascalese grapes are hand-harvested to carefully select and preserve the integrity of the clusters. A gentle pressing follows, aimed at achieving measured and clean extraction. The wine is aged for 14 months in French oak tonneaux, a step that builds the flavour profile and integrates the aromatic components into an intense and enveloping style.

Tasting notes

The profile recalls a red with good concentration. On the nose, there are intense aromas of ripe fruit, accompanied by distinct mineral notes that outline a clear character. On the palate, the wine is intense and enveloping, with an orderly progression and a finish in line with its overall elegance.

Food pairings

Thanks to its structure and intensity, this wine pairs well with flavorful dishes where its enveloping palate complements rich and tasty preparations. In Sicilian cuisine, it makes an excellent match for pasta alla Norma, thanks to the balance between ripe fruit and mineral notes. It is also suitable for a refined dinner in an intimate setting, when you want a defined and engaging red wine.

When to serve it

Perfect for those moments when you crave a characterful red, capable of uniting intensity and precision. It is ideal at dinner, especially with a structured menu oriented towards elegance. Ageing of 14 months in French oak tonneaux gives it length and allows you to appreciate the wine’s evolution at leisure. Served at the right temperature, it enhances the ripe fruit and mineral notes while maintaining a well-structured palate.