Mount Etna
High-altitude volcanic reds
- Soil
- Black volcanic ash, lava and old terraced contrade on the active volcano.
- Style
- Pale, perfumed, high-acid Nerello Mascalese — 'the Burgundy of the Med'.
- Top sites
- Named contrade on Etna's slopes; whites from Carricante too.
- Vintages
- 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022
- Producers
- Passopisciaro (Frank Cornelissen nearby)
Tip · Etna's altitude and volcanic soils give reds so pale, fragrant and high-acid they're often mistaken for Barolo or Burgundy.
Value pick
Graci Etna Rosso · ~$30
Pale, perfumed, high-acid Nerello from old Etna vines — 'volcanic Burgundy' at a gentle price.
Collector pick
Passopisciaro 'Contrada' single-vineyard (Franchetti) · ~$90 · 2019
Cru-specific Etna Nerello from old vines — among Sicily's most collected reds.