ETNA
Denominazione di Origine Controllata
GRAPE VARIETY
Carricante 100%
TASTING NOTES
The wine has rich aromas of red fruits such as cherries, raspberries, blueberries, currants and blackberries. It also has distinctive earthy and mineral notes due to the influence of the volcanic soil on which the Nerello Mascalese grapes are grown. Despite its structure and complexity, the wine has medium-soft, well-integrated tannins. Wines made from Nerello Mascalese grapes are known for their fresh acidity, which contributes to their longevity. This particular Nerello Mascalese comes from the Ballasanti estates, cultivated on the slopes of Etna in the Ricciari Ciappari San Giovanni Montebello di Giarre district, at an altitude of around 400 metres. The volcanic soil is permeable and rich in potassium and iron, but poor in assimilable nitrogen and phosphorous. The vines are grown using the single bush system with three shoots. Harvesting takes place in the last ten days of September, when the grapes are fully ripe. They are harvested by hand and placed in baskets before being taken to the winery for vinification. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, allowing prolonged contact of the skins with the must. Malolactic fermentation takes place immediately after alcoholic fermentation, in wooden barrels. The wine is then aged in steel and barriques for at least 6 months before bottling. It has a ruby red colour with slight garnet reflections.