Alberelli di Giodo Etna Rosso 2019
75cl
Giodo
£59
Donnafugata, meaning ‘fleeing woman’, belongs to the Rallo family who has been making wine in Sicily since 1851. During the 1980s, they started championing the potential of the island’s native varieties while experimenting with international ones. They now own four estates located on the hills east of Marsala, Vittoria, Pantelleria and the slopes of Etna. Their masterpiece is ‘Ben Ryé’, a Zibibbo Passito from the island of Pantelleria. In 2017, they started a collaboration with Dolce & Gabbana aiming to create a series of special wines, combining Donnafugata’s expertise with Dolce & Gabbana’s distinctive style.
Aged in stainless steel vatrs for four months and at least 6 months in the botle before release. Intense floral notes of lavender followed by aromas of strawberry and cherry. On the palate it is fresh and fragrant with soft tannins. This is a very pure example of this local variety.
James Suckling 91 Points
By selecting a "case of 6", you save £3, help the environment and contribute to eco-sustainable development
Bright and juicy red with aromas of wild strawberries, cherries, button mushrooms and orange zest. It’s medium-bodied with supple tannins and fresh acidity. Fun and delicious. Drink now.
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Blessed with consistently bright sunshine and reliably moderate rainfall, the classic Mediterranean climate is ideally suited to the needs of wine-bearing grape vines. The soils, and the mountains from which they came, are of particular interest when it comes to studying Sicilian viticulture.
Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest active volcano at 10,930ft (3330m), is responsible for the mineral-rich, dark soils which characterize the Etna DOC. Vineyards are now being planted higher up on the volcanic slopes, to capitalize on the cooler air and richer soils there. Fifty miles (80km) south, the Iblei Mountains stake their place in eastern Sicilian wine. On their lower slopes and the coastal plains below them, the DOCs of Siracusa, Noto and Vittoria sweep from east to west, forming a crescent which mirrors the arcing coastline.
Wine Appellations
IGT: Sicilia; Terre Siciliane; Avola
DOC: Etna; Noto; Marsala; Pantelleria; Sicilia; Vittoria
DOCG: Cerasuolo di Vittoria Indigenous Grapes varieties White: Carricante; Cataratto; Grillo; Inzolia; Malvasia delle Lipari; Zibibbo Red: Alicante; Frappato; Grecanico; Nerello Mascalese; Nerello Cappuccio; Nero d’Avola; Perricone; Syrah
Grape Varieties
In terms of red-wine varieties, the most common after Nero d'Avola is Grecanico, accompanied by small quantities of Alicante (Grenache), Perricone, and Frappato, the latter being the key ingredient in Sicily’s only DOCG wine Cerasuolo di Vittoria. Sibling varieties Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio are also small players in terms of volume, but are of vital importance around Mount Etna. In regard of white wines the principal grape varieties are: Cataratto, Inzolia, Grillo, and Carricante