Region · Sicily, Italy
Etna
ET-nah
Vines on an active volcano
Sicily's north-east slope: Nerello Mascalese, Carricante, lava-flow contrade, and wines that made the island fashionable again.
- red cherry
- ash
- orange peel
- herbs
- smoke
Altitude from 400 to 1,000 metres, a patchwork of old palmenti and new cellars, and a classification of contrade that Burgundy drinkers immediately understood. Etna Rosso is pale and gripping; Etna Bianco (Carricante) is lemon, smoke, and salt.
The volcano is not a tasting note you invent. Ash, drainage, and temperature really do change from terrace to terrace.
Anchovy pasta, grilled swordfish, and mushrooms.
At the table
Service
Rosso 57–61 °F (14–16 °C); Bianco 48–52 °F (9–11 °C).
