Ask any Italian wine producer about the most important aspects of their work and they will inevitably tell you that their land plays a huge role. The terroir places an indelible stamp on the wines that producers create, with some going to far as to consider their soil as the signature of their wine’s taste.
It makes sense. After all, the DOC limits the production of many wines to certain regions partially because of the effects the land has on the wine.
Which type of soil is best depends almost entirely on which producer you ask. However, there are many who will point to volcanic soil, and the many minerals it contains, as being among the best that Italy has to offer.
And when it comes to volcanoes, there are none quite as famous as the towering Mount Etna.
This unique terroir produces the stunning Etna Rosso DOC. And in this article, we’re going to explore that wine in more detail so you can see just how impactful certain types of soil can be.
What is Etna Rosso DOC?
For a wine to qualify as an Etna Rosso DOC, it must meet some very strict requirements.
The region is, as always, the most important. Any wine that carries the label must come from grapes grown in what is known as the delimited zone. This covers the northern, southern, and eastern slopes of the famous Sicilian volcano. Generally speaking, this means the land used for growing the grape has an elevation of between 1,000 and 3,600 feet.
Next up come the grape designations.
An Etna Rosso DOC must have a minimum of 80% of the Nerello Mascalese grape. This minimum is strictly enforced, with some Etna Rosso DOCs going so far as to by 100% Nerello Mascalese. Those producers who do choose to blend can only do so using the Nerello Cappuccio grape, which can only be included up to a maximum of 20%.
There are also restrictions on alcohol content. An Etna Rosso DOC must have a volume of at least 12.5%. The DOC allows several different winemaking techniques to achieve this, meaning producers can put their own stamp onto their vintages. However, the DOC also has a special Riserva designation for any version of the wine that has a 13% alcohol volume and that has been aged for at least four years, with one of those years being spent inside an oak vessel of some description. Producers who aren’t aiming for the Riserva designation aren’t subject to any ageing requirements.
What Can You Expect From The Wine?
Now that you know how the wine is made, your next natural question will be what can you expect from it.
Etna Rosso DOC is a dry red Italian wine that can be aged for approximately five years before it starts to lose its qualities. The wine is fairly pale if it is made using only the Nerello Mascalese, with the Nerello Cappuccio helping to give it a little bit of colour when it’s blended in.
Assuming the producer does use Nerello Cappuccio, you should find that the wine has an attractive ruby red colouring that is complemented by a slight granite streak as it starts to age.
Bring the wine to the nose and you’ll be struck by an intense aroma that combines strong berry notes with slight undertones of grape. This fruity bouquet is complemented by some mineral notes, which make the wine’s place of origin unmistakable.
This minerality comes to the fore when you taste the wine, though you’ll also be struck by a surprisingly fresh acidity that isn’t typically characteristic of such a full-bodied red wine. A warm and robust flavour profile washes over your palate, which makes this wine ideal for enjoying by the fire when you’re reading a nice book.
Of course, if you want to enjoy the wine with some food, you have plenty of options. The combination of rich fruity flavours and acidity make this a great wine for serving alongside pork and white meats. It also works surprisingly well with sausages. But perhaps most surprisingly, the acidity the wine offers means it can also complement pasta without completely overwhelming a dish that usually has more subdued flavours.
Why Should You Drink Etna Rosso DOC?
Perhaps you’re not quite convinced that Etna Rosso is the ideal addition to your little collection of Italian red wines. If that’s the case, we can think of a few more reasons, beyond the gorgeous flavour, that may convince you to give this tantalising wine a try.
Reason #1 – The Unique Experience Of Volcanic Wine
Etna Rosso DOC is so prized because there are few soils quite like the mineral-rich volcanic soils used to grow the grapes. This wine is imbued with forces of nature that are far beyond the reckoning or manipulation of humans.
The volcanic soil doesn’t just give the wine the mineral notes that you expect. It’s also responsible for the acidity, texture, and deep aroma that makes the wine so powerful.
Reason #2 – It’s Something Different
When we think about Italian red wines, we tend to look at the standards. Barolo, Barbaresco, Chianti, and so many more have helped the Italian industry set itself apart. But in Etna Rosso DOC, you have a red wine that offers something completely different while still matching those wines step for step when it comes to quality.
Reason #3 – It’s An Accessible Wine
Despite having so many unique characteristics, Etna Rosso DOC is a supremely accessible wine. Its medium-to-full body means it’s a great choice as an introduction to the world of Italian reds, especially for those who are used to the higher acidity of Italian white wines.
The Final Word There are few places as awe-inspiring as the stunning Mount Etna. However, it’s the ingenuity of the winemakers who have been able to tame this volcano’s rich soils that we are celebrating here. Etna Rosso DOC is a stunning wine that deserves to be experienced by anybody who wants to try something a little different. And if you’d like to try it today, we believe this gorgeous 2018 vintage from Tornatore is a good starting point.
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