Etna Rosso - great red wines from the volcano

Etna wines are experiencing a period of great success, not only within the Sicilian landscape, but also nationally and internationally. Certainly the origin of a still active volcano from the territory increases its charm and suggestion. As well as helps the definition of "mineral", currently very popular to define all wines from vineyards grown on volcanic soils. But apart from these general notes, which however help to communicate in a simple and direct way, Etna today expresses red wines of remarkable quality level, synthesis of great vines and a terroir with unique characteristics. Etna has the extraordinary peculiarity of being a 3350 meters high volcano, which is located near the sea . This unusual geographical connotation allows to have a unique climate in the world, on a sunny and Mediterranean side, but also very cool and windy, with significant temperature changes between day and night temperatures. The vineyards are mainly cultivated on the north and north-east side of the volcano, up to about 1,000 meters above sea level.

Very often the vineyards are made up of old sapling plants with centuries-old vines. The soils are formed by the sedimentation and decay of lava skiing, which gave soils of sand, lapilli and rocks composed of basalts, tuffs and other minerals. In this incredible habitat, nerello mascalese is grown, which in purity or with small additions of nerello cap, gives life to the Etna reds. The Nerello Mascalese is a grape variety born from the Sangiovese and another unknown variety, which expresses wines of great finesse and elegance. It is a rather poor anthocyanin grape, which produces wines with a light ruby red color, which over time take on garnet-colored reflections. The olfactory and refined profile, with floral aromas, aromas of small berries, spicy hints, hints of aromatic herbs of the Mediterranean scrub, balsamic notes, mineral nuances reminiscent of graphite and slightly toasted and smoked sensations. From an olfactory point of view it is a very multifaceted, delicate and fascinating wine. On the palate it is medium-bodied, with a dense and lively tannic texture, well integrated with the body of the wine. The center of the mouth is deep and complex, with a tense and vibrant sip, which extends vertically towards a final of great freshness, with a closure on sapid and mineral sensations. It is an agile and slender modern red, which prefers elegance and lightness to power and concentration. A wine suitable for those who do not like enveloping and velvety softnesses and instead prefer a more dynamic, energetic sip, with the right tannic and acidic components to act as a counterpoint to the fruit. At the table it goes very well with roasted red meats, grilled meats and lamb.