The Wonders of Sicily
by Tom Wolf
2020 Etna Rosso “Crasà Contrada”
Italy | Sicily
Mount Etna is home to some of the most intriguing terroirs in the world. There is no other place like this for growing grapes: high elevation, plenty of Mediterranean sunshine, and jet-black soils of decomposed lava make it unique on Earth. I could mention this elegant rosso’s notes of dark fruit and its “volcanic” character that make you feel as if you’re breathing in Etna’s soil, but you just need to taste this wine for yourself to feel the magic of Vigneti Vecchio’s Etna.
2021 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Italy | Sicily
A quick glance at Grottafumata’s website, Instagram, or the beautiful label on this bianco and you might wonder what this Mount Etna azienda does exactly. Interspersed among the images of vineyards and wine bottles are all kinds of celebrations of the local flora—flowering wild artichokes, olive trees, wild strawberries—and fauna: hawks, bees, ladybugs, etc. Mauro Cutuli and Mariangela Prestifilippo produce wine along the volcano’s steep inclines as part of a holistic farm dedicated to honoring and preserving the entire ecosystem, which allows them to craft outstanding, small-batch olive oil, honey, and jam as well as exquisite whites, like this beautifully smoky, textured, and golden Lato Sud.
2020 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Spaccaforno”
Italy | Sicily
As enthralled as we are by the wines of Mount Etna, Riofavara is proof that there is more to Sicily than the slopes of that epic volcano. Nero d’Avola is the reigning grape near the island’s southernmost point and expresses a tart, brambly side in this Spaccaforno. Along with our other selections from this island, it will have you raising Sicily higher on your list of places to travel next!