Sciare dell' Alba Etna Rosso DOC 2018

Wine Type:
Style of Wine:	Smooth & Silky
Country of Origin:	Italy
Wine Region:	Sicily
Appellation:	Etna
Grape Varietal:	Nerello Mascalese
Bottle Format:	750mL
Case Size:	6 bottles
$289.32 Per Case ($48.22/btl)

Tasting Notes

This new project has roots in Etna, with origins in Franciacorta, and brought to fruition by Elisabetta Abrami. Elisabetta is the owner/winemaker for her eponymous winery in Italy’s Lombardy Region, where they only make traditional-method sparkling wine - Franciacorta DOCG.

The winery name is a combination of two words - Sciàra and Alba. Sciàra draws from Arabic etymology of ša'ra - meaning "uncultivated land" - and Latin flagare - "to burn" - indicating the accumulation of volcanic soils in the vineyards. Alba is the moment when night becomes day (sunrise), and refers to when the sun bathes the Ionian Sea and the vineyards on the eastern side of Mount Etna.

The vineyards comprise just a few hectares of old vines planted on the slopes of Sicily’s famous active volcano (located near the ancient port city of Catania) approximately 500 meters above sea level, in Mascali (CT). They are planted to indigenous varieties - Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio for red-wine production, and Carricante and Cattarratto for the whites.
Three wines are currently produced. Total production is currently less than 5000 bottles.

The Rosso comes from a tiny plot of land on the east side of Mount Etna. Soils are of volcanic origin, primarily sandy, and rich in fossils and organic material. Grapes are harvested by hand and yields are low.

The blend is 80% Nerello Mascalese and 20% Nerello Cappuccio, with about 12-15 days maceration, then vinified in temperature-controlled, stainless-steel tanks. The wine is then aged in French-oak barrels (30 hectoliters) for 24 months (in contact with the fine lees) then in bottle for one year before release. Alc./vol. 13.5%. Only ~1500 bottles produced.

Tasting note: Ruby-red colour, with some bricking at the rim, with aromas and flavours of wild berry fruit - raspberry, strawberry - with floral/herbal notes. Medium-bodied, dry, good acidity, evolved tannins, and a persistent finish.

Pairing suggestions: It will pair with appetizers, grilled and roasted meat dishes, spicy/ earthy vegetarian dishes, and aged cheeses.

Critical Praise