Etna Rosato
Born of black lava soils and bright Sicilian light, Graci’s rosato is Nerello Mascalese in its most carefree expression. Fresh red fruit, Mediterranean herbs, and the cool mineral signature of the volcano come together in a wine made for long lunches, golden afternoons, and the table you never want to leave. Wild strawberry, blood orange, and a whisper of smoke ride on crackling mountain acidity and a saline, stony finish.
Appellation: Etna Rosato DOC
Type: Rosato (rosé), still, dry
Varietal: 100% Nerello Mascalese
Color: Pale salmon pink, almost champagne-hued.
Bouquet: Understated, elegant aromas of wild strawberry, sour cherry, blood orange, white flowers, and fresh Mediterranean herbs over a distinctly saline, volcanic mineral core.
Palate: Dry and taut, with crackling acidity, subtle texture from lees aging, and a long, stony, citrus-tinged finish.
Alcohol: 12.5%.
Serving temperature: 8–10°C (46–50°F)
Food Pairing: Seafood crudo, grilled fish, shellfish, light salads, charcuterie, aperitivo hour.
Vineyard Location: Passopisciaro, northern slope of Mount Etna.
Elevation: ~600 meters (2,000 feet) above sea level
Soil: Dark brown volcanic soils, well-drained and sandy in parts, non-calcareous, neutral pH, rich in iron and nitrogen
Farming: Organic; no herbicides
Yield: ~40 hL/ha
Harvest: Early October, manual picking.
Winemaking: The grapes undergo slow pressing without destemming. Vinification takes place in stainless-steel tanks, a material that preserves the integrity and expressiveness of the fruit. No maceration.
Aging: The wine then matures on its fine lees for five months, gaining greater complexity, balance and depth of flavour.
2013 Etna Rosato – 89 Points – Robert Parker Wine Advocate (#212 May 2014)
"Part of a growing wine trend, the 2013 Etna Rosato is made from Nerello Mascalese and is highly indicative of the excellent rose wines now being made on Etna. The wine opens to a pale pink color with copper and peach highlights. It is packed tight with bright fruit nuances of white cherry and stone fruit that are delivered with extreme precision and focus. Background notes of dried sage and crushed mineral offer subtle complexity. I highly recommend this wine for those looking for a crisp, dry and mineral-driven rose to pair with seafood or light salad lunches." ~ M.L.
