Our Score: 91
Sicily immediately at the nose: ripe Mediterranean figs and red geranium flowers, with notes of flint and ash, dry garrigue and a note of soft spice. At the palate you get freshness and warmth together. The sapidity of the volcanic soil and the ripe fruits keep going through the finish. Made with the indigenous Nerello Mascalese grape, this medium bodied and elegant wine is a very interesting alternative to try if you like Pinot Noir.
Grapes: Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio
Pairing: A versatile wine. I like it a lot with eggplant caponata or parmigiana, pizza margherita, or pasta with cheese sauce, roasted chicken, fried fish or grilled sausages.
Appellation: Etna Rosso DOC, Italy
Mount Etna is the highest volcano in Europe, and it recently began catching the attention of wine connoisseurs and sommeliers. On its northern, eastern and southern slopes, hundreds of farmers have grown grapes for centuries for family consumption, and wine was an important part of the meal more than a drink per se.
In the last 30 years, thanks to a consortium of visionary producers, Sicily in general, and the Etna region in particular, were able to implement more advanced farming and vinification processes which enhanced the uniqueness and the high quality of the grapes, soil and micro-climate (terroir).