Notify me
Old-Vine Magic from Mount Etna
Old-Vine Magic from Mount Etna
by Anthony Lynch by Anthony Lynch
2017 Etna Rosso “Sciare Vive”
2017 Etna Rosso “Sciare Vive”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily | Etna Rosso
Vigneti Vecchio’s vineyards are a sight to see: alberello-trained vines up to 130 years old poke out of a moonlike landscape of dusty volcanic sand that is occasionally bisected by errant solidified lava flows, called sciare. Carmelo Vecchio had a vision when he decided to bottle his first wine from these minuscule familial plots, and today that vision is bearing fruit we all can enjoy. This red’s satiny texture allows it to gloss over the palate with utter delicacy, while suggestions of smoke, white pepper, and brandied cherries linger seductively after each sip.
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2017 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 90% Nerello Mascalese, 10% indigenous varieties (Minnella, Inzolia, Carricante, Grecanico, Catarratto, Malvasia) |
Appellation: | Etna Rosso |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Sicily |
Producer: | Vigneti Vecchio |
Vineyard: | 1.5 ha total, 50 to 130 years old |
Soil: | Volcanic |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 13.8% |
More from this Producer or Region
2021 Terre Siciliane Rosso “Donna Bianca”
Italy | Sicily
Delicate floral perfume, medium body, and velvety tannin.
2020 Terre Siciliane Carricante “Sciare Vive”
Italy | Sicily
Aromas of wildflowers, saffron, beeswax, and Mediterranean herbs. Rich, fleshy, and focused, all at just 12% alcohol.
2022 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Marzaiolo”
Italy | Sicily
September Club Chevalier ~ The Marzaiolo is a brilliant white bursting with sunshine, sea spray, and fresh-squeezed Sicilian lemons.
2021 Etna Rosso “Sciare Vive”
Italy | Sicily
This red’s satiny texture allows it to gloss over the palate with utter delicacy, while suggestions of smoke, white pepper, and brandied cherries linger after each sip.
2020 Vittoria Frappato
| Sicily
The wine builds to a crescendo and leaves the palate stained and saturated with staying power. This is much more than quaffing Frappato. Irresistible.
2020 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Spaccaforno”
Italy | Sicily
The Padova family’s Spaccaforno is generous but not heavy, with suggestions of blackberry, licorice, and spice leading to a lively, chalky finish.
2019 Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese “Lato Sud”
Italy | Sicily
Grottafumata means “smoky caves” and that's exactly what I think about when I swish this around. Grown in volcanic soils, it's a perfect balance between smoky tannins and Sicilian grapes.
2020 Etna Rosso “Crasà Contrada”
Italy | Sicily
You’ll find whiffs of both Burgundy and Barolo in this single-vineyard bottling from vines planted in 1930, but it is unmistakably Etna: smoky and suave.
2019 Vino Rosso “I nove fratelli”
Italy | Sicily
A profound red wine full of depth, liveliness, and old-school, rustic character; the intensely gripping, ashy-fine tannin is a trademark of wines from Contrada Pino.
About The Producer
Vigneti Vecchio
Carmelo Vecchio and his wife, Rosa La Guzza, did not come from afar to make wine on Etna: they are true locals, raised in the heart of the vineyards. Carmelo began working at the nearby Passopisciaro winery at a young age, and after fifteen years of hands-on experience, the time came to strike out on his own. From barely one hectare of vines up to 130 years old inherited from Rosa’s family, the couple took matters into their own hands: sustainable farming by hand, with the goal of achieving an elegant balance in the grapes; micro-vinifications in the tiny cellar beneath their home, with respect for tradition and terroir; and aging the wines in used barrels before bottling without fining or filtration.
About The Region
Sicily
Italy’s southernmost region and the largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily has no shortage of sunshine to grow high-quality grapes on a yearly basis. It also does not lack a history of winemaking: since the Greeks settled here almost three millennia ago, the vine has played a major role in the island’s agricultural makeup. Production of cheap bulk wine for blending dominated much of its recent history until now, as we are witnessing a quality revolution that puts forth its great diversity and quality of terroirs, indigenous grape varieties, and local production methods.
While Sicily’s historical reputation is for sweet wines—Marsala and the Muscats of Pantelleria stand out—a number of dry whites and reds are enjoying the spotlight today. The cooler, high-altitude slopes of Etna, with its ashy volcanic soils, have seen an explosion of activity from producers both local and foreign; both whites (primarily from Carricante) and reds (Nerello Mascalese) here are capable of uncommon freshness and finesse. Other noteworthy wine regions are Eloro, where Nero d’Avola gives its best; Noto, an oasis of dry and sweet Moscatos; Vittoria, with its supple, perfumed Frappatos; and Salina, where Malvasia makes thirst-quenching dry whites and deliciously succulent passiti.
Countless foreign invasions over the centuries have given Sicilian architecture and cuisine a unique exotic twist, making it a fascinating destination for gourmands as well as wine importers. With a wealth of dedicated artisans proud to show off the riches of their land, you can bet there are many exciting things still to come from this incredible island.
More from Sicily or Italy
2020 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Rosso “Donna Bianca”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2017 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Sciavè”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2022 Olio Extra Vergine di Oliva
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2021 Etna Rosso “Crasà Contrada”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2022 Olio Extravergine di Oliva Biologica
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2019 Terre Siciliane Grenache “Vigna degli Architetti”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2020 Vittoria Frappato
Portelli | Sicily
2020 Etna Rosso “Crasà Contrada”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2019 Vino Rosso “I nove fratelli”
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2020 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Spaccaforno”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Marzaiolo”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2020 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Rosso “Donna Bianca”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2017 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Sciavè”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2022 Olio Extra Vergine di Oliva
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2021 Etna Rosso “Crasà Contrada”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2022 Olio Extravergine di Oliva Biologica
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2019 Terre Siciliane Grenache “Vigna degli Architetti”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2020 Vittoria Frappato
Portelli | Sicily
2020 Etna Rosso “Crasà Contrada”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2019 Vino Rosso “I nove fratelli”
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2020 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Spaccaforno”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Marzaiolo”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
I want you to realize once and for all: Even the winemaker does not know what aging is going to do to a new vintage; Robert Parker does not know; I do not know. We all make educated (hopefully) guesses about what the future will bring, but guesses they are. And one of the pleasures of a wine cellar is the opportunity it provides for you to witness the evolution of your various selections. Living wines have ups and downs just as people do, periods of glory and dog days, too. If wine did not remind me of real life, I would not care about it so much.
Inspiring Thirst, page 171