{"title":"Nerello Mascalese","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"passopisciaro-etna-rosso-terre-siciliane-igt-sicily-italy-2020","title":"Passopisciaro, Passorosso, Etna Rosso, Terre Siciliane IGT, Sicily, Italy, 2020","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eVolcanoes are gloomy places, and when I arrived, Mt. Etna was even gloomier because it was an abandoned volcano. Wineries lay collapsed all over its slopes; stonewalled terraces disappeared everywhere up the mountain in the bushes. There was the misery of blackened streets and ashen churches in large old towns. These were the feelings I had in the winter of 2000 when I first came to Etna. It seemed crazy to restore vineyards so high up the mountain – above, it was erupting – but I liked that they were planted so high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the top of the steep Passopisciaro property looms a hump of black gravel. It’s where the lava spill from a big eruption in 1947 had stopped, caking up just before it could submerge whole terraces below it, vines, walls, and buildings: on Etna you can lose it all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere, it’s always very cold at night, even in August. During the day in the vineyards the lava powder penetrates in the skin and you get intoxicated, tired. The first wine I made was pale and meager, and I was discouraged. I planted other grapes; whatever is planted there the wine always tastes of citrus and camphor, without that generous body that you like earth to lend right away to a wine. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere’s no mold, no moss; the ground sparkles black like the night; the wine slowly becomes very elegant and strange. During the day a soft light penetrates everything and then there are starry nights; Etna has enormous poetry. Making wine, you have access to it. There isn’t Mother Nature here. You are conducting your viticulture on stuff that comes out of the terrible below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eAndrea Franchetti\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca\u003e100% Nerello Mascalese\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eSicily, Italy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eA blend of ancient grapes of Nerello Mascalese from different vineyards located at different altitudes on the northern side of Etna. In general, the highest districts lie on more gravelly soils to coarser grain, while the lower ones on the finer and deeper soils composed of older lava flows, now oxidized and reduced to lava dust. This wine concentrates the characteristics of different terroirs in a single bottle to offer a global idea of a territory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93 Points - Vinous\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2020 Passorosso is spicy, showing dried flowers, hints of cardamom and white pepper before its dusty cherry fruit comes to the fore. Soft and enveloping, this impresses with a pure mix of red fruits and inner rose tones guided by cooling acidity. It finishes lightly structured and with a bitter twang of sour berry concentration. While the Passorosso is typically a more forward expression, the 2020 could use another year of cellaring before showing its best. That said, it’s a very pretty wine that is packed full of potential. Drinking Window: 2023 – 2028\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points - Wine Advocate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2020 Etna Rosso Passorosso has a bright and punchy bouquet with blackcurrant, rosemary sprig, white pepper, cola and ferrous earth or rusty nail. There is a sanguine, almost metallic element to the bouquet. The wine proceeds with medium texture, firm tannins and good length. Much of that power is fueled by a 15% alcohol content. This vintage saw 29,800 bottles made, which is much less than normal production numbers. Drink Date: 2023 – 2028\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points - Falstaff\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBright ruby red. Fruity and savoury aromas on the nose, with notes of undergrowth, ash and some vegetal hints. Tasty, elegant and soft on the palate, with dense tannins and a medium length on the finish. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ian Blackburn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51470125334833,"sku":null,"price":62.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Passopisciaro_Passorosso_Etna_Rosso_Terre_Siciliane_IGT_Sicily_Italy_2020.jpg?v=1749667115"},{"product_id":"i-vigneri-di-salvo-foti-etna-rosso-sicily-italy-2024","title":"I Vigneri di Salvo Foti, Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy, 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eIn Catania in 1435 the “ Maestranza dei Vigneri” was founded . This important association of winemakers, operating on Etna, created the basis for a winemaking profession whose protagonists were the winemakers themselves. After 500 years, I Vigneri is an entity operating on Etna and in eastern Sicily.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe vines are cultivated following Etna traditions, placing respect for the environment and the people who live on the land first. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis agricultural approach leads us to use only traditional fungicides such as copper and sulphur for vine cultivation. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe training system with which all our vineyards are cultivated is the Etnean sapling. This system, deeply rooted in Etnean viticulture and its native vines, allows us to obtain, thanks to its optimal vegetative-productive structure, the least intervention of external products. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe smaller quantity of grapes, which reach an excellent polyphenolic ripeness, produced per vine is compensated by the high density of the sapling vines (8000-10000 vines per ha).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrganic, biodynamic\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eSalvo Foti\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e90% Nerello Mascalese, 10% Nerello Cappuccio \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSicily, Italy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eI Vigneri Etna Rosso is a pure, ancient and genuine wine.  Winemaking is carried out in the Palmento, as has always been done on Mt. Etna, without refrigeration equipment and no aging in wood. Vineyard cultivation is done by hand using natural products. During winemaking, refrigeration and biotechnologies are not used. Transfer and bottling are carried out according to the phases of the moon. \u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Farm Wine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52274210963761,"sku":null,"price":49.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/I_Vigneri_di_Salvo_Foti_Etna_Rosso_Sicily_Italy_2024.jpg?v=1767379134"},{"product_id":"nicosia-lenza-di-munti-720m-s-l-m-nerello-mascalese-mt-etna-sicily-italy-2024","title":"Nicosia, \"Lenza di Munti\" 720m s.l.m, Nerello Mascalese, Mt. Etna, Sicily, Italy, 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFounded in 1898 on the slopes of Mt Etna, handed down from Father to Son for five generations, Nicosia is a historic family-owned winery rooted in the land and dedicated to producing great Sicilian wines for wine lovers across the world. Nicosia wines are a tribute to the heart of Sicily, obtained from native vineyards and international varieties that find an ideal terroir on the island, with expressions of rare excellence. They embody the light and warmth of its Mediterranean climate, the strength of its people, and the untamed, exuberant character of the Etna volcano that has both powerful nature and regenerative strength. Mt. Etna, one of the tallest and most active volcanos in the world, creates an incredible and unique environment for viticulture. In the last 20 years Etna DOC (est. 1968) has become one of the most exciting appellations in Italy. Cantine Nicosia is one of the original Wineries to settle on Etna, and one of the few still shepherding their own grapes from vine to bottle. In respecting a land that has been in their family for over 120 years, Cantine Nicosia has obtained several organic certifications and are also part of VIVA for sustainability. In total Nicosia has achieved 10 different certifications, including but not limited to: organic, carbon neutral, vegan and energy efficient.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrganic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eMaria Carella\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca\u003eNerello Mascalese\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eMount Etna, Sicily, Italy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eTasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eVivid ruby red. Floral scents with notes of wild strawberry and red currant, with slightly spicy hints on the nose. A dry, juicy and harmonious taste, with great freshness and a long, fruity finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIdeal for pairing with eggplant Parmigiana, cauliflower pancakes, tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms and other flavorful pasta dishes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 Points - James Suckling\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eExtremely perfumed and fresh with sliced-apple, lemon, lemongrass and lime aromas and flavors that follow through to a medium body with bright acidity and a tangy finish. Really mineral. Vibrant. From carricante planted at 750 meters of altitude. Drink or hold.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"WINEBOW","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52941128958257,"sku":null,"price":16.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Nicosia_Lenza_di_Munti_720m_s.l.m_Nerello_Mascalese_Mt._Etna_Sicily_Italy_2024.jpg?v=1772049532"},{"product_id":"calabretta-nerello-mascalese-vigne-vecchie-sicily-italy-2016","title":"Calabretta, Nerello Mascalese, Vigne Vecchie, Sicily, Italy, 2016","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cu\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eCalabretta’s vineyards are located nearly a half mile above sea level in the black volcanic soils of Etna’s north slope, between Randazzo and Castiglione di Sicilia. There, Calabretta farms roughly seven hectares of mostly 70- to 80-year-old vines—many of them ungrafted—on stepped terraces supported by stone walls.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince the winery’s founding in 1900, the Calabretta family has farmed and produced wines from Etna’s ancient indigenous varieties—including Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio—in the mountain’s unique noble vineyards.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHistorically, the family had sold its wine in sfuso or in barrel to restaurants and to private customers, many of whom travelled long distances to pick up their wine. But in 1997, third- and fourth-generation father and son Massimo and Massimiliano Calabretta decided to bottle their best wine under their own label to ensure the winemaking traditions of their family and Etna would not be lost.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe vineyard practices sound modern but are in fact rooted in the past. They avoid using chemical pesticides or herbicides, and they harvest by hand, starting around the second week of October. Fermentations are carried out exclusively with wild yeasts.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCalabretta is part of the Triple A group – which stands for Agricoltori (Farmer) Artigianale Artisti. It’s a collective of wineries across Europe that that includes E.Pepe, Radikon, A. Occhipinti, Foradori and SRC in Italy. The vineyards, planted piede franco (ungrafted rootstock), are mostly in Contrade Calderara and no chemicals have ever been used. Over the last few years Massimiliano has planted 60,000 new vines, also piede franco.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComing from both old vineyards and younger plants, Carricante di Calabretta stands out for its natural freshness and excellent structure. Vinified in white and left to mature in steel only, what results is a particularly tactile, bright and elegant wine, traced by a clear minerality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemakers\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eMassimo \u0026amp; Massimiliano Calabretta\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca\u003eNerello Mascalese\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eSicily, Italy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eDynamite example of old vines from Etna. Structured and intense without being too tight to drink young. Bouquet of red fruits, tobacco, and earth.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points - Jeb Dunnuck\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eComing from 70-year-old vines, the 2016 Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese Vigne Vecchie is a deeper red color and reveals notes of sweet amaro macerated herbs, menthol, and baked red plums all melding together, but it has a lot to offer. Super-salty and mouthwatering, with ripe tannins and bright acidity, it has ripeness but is still holding together and seems as though it will have a slow maturation from this point, even though it’s already mature.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Elevage Wine Co","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53020796682545,"sku":null,"price":34.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Calabretta_Nerello_Mascalese_Vigne_Vecchie_Sicily_Italy_2015.jpg?v=1742911024"},{"product_id":"pietro-caciorgna-ciauria-etna-rosso-sicily-italy-2024","title":"Pietro Caciorgna, 'Ciauria,' Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy, 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"metafield-multi_line_text_field\"\u003eTenute Pietro Caciorgna traces its roots to 1953, when Giovanni and Fulvia Caciorgna settled in Tuscany, acquiring land once owned by the Bargagli and Visconti families to continue a long-standing tradition of farming. Cereals, sunflowers, and grapes were cultivated, releasing their first commercial wine in 2005. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eToday, the estate is led by Pietro Caciorgna and his wife Elda, with their son Paolo as winemaker. In 2006, after visiting Marco de Grazia’s Tenuta delle Terre Nere on Etna’s northern slopes, Paolo was captivated by the volcanic terroir and acquired a vineyard there—marking the beginning of the winery’s expansion into Sicily and its identity as a producer rooted in two distinct landscapes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003ePaolo Caciorgna\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e100% Nerello Mascalese\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMount Etna, Sicily, Italy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eIn 2009 I started to produce a simpler Etna Rosso, an everyday wine, which brings us back to the perfumes and flavors of Nerello Mascalese that grows on the slopes of Etna. A wine that, as they say in Sicily, \"Ciaurìa\" of Etna. A wine that impresses with its disarming simplicity. A magic that is consumed only when you meet an extraordinary vine with a unique territory. Ciaurìa is accompanied by earthen dishes, for all seasons, typical of Etna, and with a careful serving temperature, even to some fish dishes. ~ Paolo Caciorgna, owner\/winemaker\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"w-full pt-4\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"dropdown-pill-label\"\u003e\u003csvg viewbox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-sort mr-1\"\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Caroline Debbane Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56510751899953,"sku":null,"price":32.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/PietroCaciorgna_Ciauria_EtnaRosso_Sicily_Italy_2024_91ef6063-c238-4937-b30a-10cc3ebfb38a.jpg?v=1790592155"}],"url":"https:\/\/marchantofwine.com\/collections\/nerello-mascalese.oembed","provider":"Merchant of Wine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}