Etna Rosso 2020

This organic wine is a unique product born from the Nicolosi family which owns the oldest vineyard on Etna with 300 years of history under its belt. The vines are located at around 700 meters above sea level in the foothills of Etna. This cuvée is a blend of 80% Nerello Mascalese with 20% Nerello Cappuccio and Nerello Mantellato . The estate carries out a short maceration of 6 to 10 days to preserve the fruit and freshness. Aging lasts 18 months, including 12 months in 500 liter chestnut barrels. This wine is very fresh and perfectly harmonious in its flavors. This wine reveals aromas of red flowers, peony, violet , currants , pomegranate , raspberry , red cherry, aromatic herbs, as well as a hint of smoke. On the palate, very smooth attack, well-integrated acidity and slight return of structure on the finish with fine, chalky tannins. Beautiful persistence. A delicate, gourmet and distinguished wine.

Ah Italy, what a beautiful hedonistic country, people of the Dolce Vita, but what difficulty in understanding its wine organization! The key to understanding the naming system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous country because each region has its own naming system. Italy can, however, give wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, as well as bottles filled with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless and characterless wines which are sold under their most useful and commercially reputable name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco and many others... But let's talk a little history, viticulture in Italy dates back to ancient times and it originated in Greece. The Etruscans would have planted vines and Greek immigrants would have improved and modified the grape varieties who subsequently called this country "Oenotria": the country of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life and certain regions already stood out for the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible testimony to their invasion. Today Italy is the largest wine producer in the world, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic areas. The northern mountains experience a fairly harsh mountain climate. The “middle of the boot” plain is the domain of the continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the "southern part of the Italian boot" the Mediterranean climate reigns with very hot and very dry summers without forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In summary, Italy produces wines of great variety thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originate from their lands. It is a country just as complex as its wines which deserve to be explored!