Benanti Contrada Caldera Sottana Etna Rosso 2022

Located on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, the Contrada Calderara Sottana vineyard belongs to the Benanti estate, a pioneer of quality viticulture on this Sicilian volcano. The vines, planted in soils of basaltic sand and gravel from ancient lava flows, benefit from a mountain climate tempered by sea breezes. The high altitude and significant temperature variations promote slow ripening of the grapes, preserving freshness and aromatic finesse. This unique terroir imparts a pronounced mineral character to the wine and remarkable precision of expression.

The grapes are hand-harvested into crates, then destemmed and gently crushed before alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks with temperature control and maceration on the skins to extract color and structure. Malolactic fermentation then takes place in tanks. The wine is aged primarily in stainless steel tanks, supplemented by aging in medium-capacity oak barrels, and then refined for several months in the bottle before release, in order to preserve the purity of the fruit and the mineral expression of the Etna terroir.

This wine reveals notes of red , black , and stone fruits, complemented by floral touches reminiscent of violet and dried rose, as well as spicy nuances of pepper and licorice, underpinned by a mineral structure evoking volcanic ash. On the palate, the wine is elegant, driven by lively acidity, fine yet present tannins, and a persistent, taut, and flavorful finish that highlights the freshness and verticality typical of great Etna reds.

Ah, Italy, what a beautiful, hedonistic country, the land of la dolce vita, but how difficult it is to understand its wine industry! The key to understanding the appellation system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous nation, as each region has its own appellation system. Italy can offer wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, bottles brimming with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless, characterless wines sold under their most commercially useful and prestigious name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco, and many others... But let's talk a little history. Viticulture in Italy dates back to antiquity and originated in Greece. The Etruscans are said to have introduced the vine, and Greek immigrants improved and modified the grape varieties, subsequently calling the country "Oenotria": the land of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life, and certain regions already distinguished themselves by the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible mark of their conquest. Today, Italy is the world's largest wine producer, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic zones. The northern mountains have a rather harsh mountain climate. The plains of the "central boot" are characterized by a continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the southern part of the Italian boot, the Mediterranean climate prevails, with very hot and dry summers, not forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In short, Italy produces a wide variety of wines thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originated in its own lands. It is a country as complex as its wines, which deserve to be explored!