Terrazze dell'Etna Cirneco Etna Rosso 2019

Terrazze dell'Etna Cirneco Etna Rosso

Region: Sicily, Italy

Vintage: 2019

Bottle size: 75cl

Grape: Nerello Mascalese

ABV: 14%

This wine is a deep ruby in colour with violet hues. The intense nose boasts a complex array of aromas including sweet spice, vanilla and mixed berry fruit. The wine has an excellent balance between acidity and tannin. It is supple, elegant and refined with a persistent finish and the potential for long ageing.

The vineyards are located in the municipality of Randazzo at 750 metres above sea level, on the northern slopes of Etna. The soil is volcanic and the climate is cool, with a notable diurnal temperature range and good ventilation. The free-standing ‘alberello’ bush vines, some of which are over 100 years old, are grown on 'terrazze' or terraces that benefit from good levels of sunshine. 'Cirneco' is the Sicilian word for hunting dog.

The grapes were hand harvested. After a lengthy maceration on the skins of around 40 days, fermentation took place at controlled temperatures. The wine was then aged for 18 months in oak and then a further 18 months in bottle before release.

Sicilian native Antonio Bevilacqua, an engineer by trade, founded Terrazze dell’Etna in 2008 with the aim of revitalising and restoring the abandoned terraced vineyards on the slopes of Mount Etna to produce some of Sicily's finest wines.