​10 things you should know about Etna volcanic wines

In 10 points, what you need to know about Etna volcanic wines.

1. A centuries-old success

The history of Etna wines is a thousand-year history. Volcanic wines have been appreciated in every age. From the Neolithic until today, passing through the flourishing Greek-Roman era, where people competed for some amphora.

In the following centuries the traditional wine making and vine cultivation techniques have been handed down from generation to generation, overcoming the crisis of phylloxera invasion, and in modern times have been improved and refined contributing to the great success of these wines.

2. The first Sicilian DOC

The quality of Etna wines has led to the recognition of DOC, the first Sicilian DOC to be recognized and one of the oldest in Italy. The DOC was established on 11 August 1968.

3. An island in the island

Due to its peculiarity, the area of Etna is called "an island in the island" because it has pedoclimatic characteristics that distinguish it from the rest of the Sicilian region and that allow a production of the highest quality.

Although there is an important internal variability, depending on the volcanic side where the vineyards are located, we can identify some general characteristics, common and typical of the island on the island:

- the soil is sandy and volcanic, rich in ash, lapilli and mineral salts;
- the climate is Mediterranean, with more rainfall than the rest of the region and with considerable temperature variations;
- the altimetry of the areas where the vine is cultivated is between 300 and 900 metres above sea level, but there are vineyards also cultivated at 1100 metres.

4. The word "terroir" and Etna ...

In enology, terroir indicates the complex relationship between a vine and its ecosystem, the microclimate and the characteristics of the soil in which it is cultivated, the history of its territory but also the human and anthropic factors that involve it, determining the uniqueness of the wine being produced.

The term was introduced in France in the 80s in reference to the wines of Burgundy. However, some experts have advanced the hypothesis that the French have thought about this term in relation to the territories of Etna ...

5. The practice of "heroic viticulture"

The particular conformation of the territory of Etna makes necessary the practice of the so-called "heroic" viticulture.

The vineyards are sloping, on the characteristic terraces contained by dry walls of lava stone. This conformation of the vineyards allows to contain the soil and create cultivable areas, promotes water retention and protects the soil from erosive agents.

The slope and the morphology of the Etna territory make complicated the operations in the vineyard, carried out manually with very high costs. But it is precisely these "difficulties", with the necessary maniacal attention to detail and the attention paid to every little operation, that favor the production of excellent wines.

6. The 20 territories of Etna DOC

The production area of "Etna" DOC wines includes some areas of 20 municipalities in the province of Catania: Biancavilia, S. Maria di Licodia, Paternò, Belpasso, Nicolosi, Pedara, Trecastagni, Viagrande, Aci S. Antonio, Acireale, S. Venerina, Giarre, Mascali, Zafferana, Milo, S. Alfio, Piedimonte, Linguaglossa, Castiglione, Randazzo.

7. The 5 varieties of Etna DOC

There are five varieties that can contribute to the production of Etna DOC wines. Two red grape varieties: Nerello Mascalese, the most widespread and cultivated, and Nerello Cappuccio. Three white grape varieties: Carricante, Catarratto and Minnella.

8. The 6 wines of Etna DOC

From these vines can be obtained 6 different types of wines:

- Etna white: from Carricante grapes, at least 60%, Catarratto from 0 to 40%. Grapes from the Minnella and Trebbiano grape varieties can also contribute to its production, up to a maximum of 15% of the total;
- Etna white Superiore: from Carricante grapes, at least 80%. For the remaining, if any, 20% can compete Trebbiano, Minnella and other non-aromatic white grape varieties grown in Sicily;
- Etna red: from Nerello Mascalese grapes, at least 80%, Nerello Mantellato up to a maximum of 20%;
- Etna red Riserva: same composition as Etna Rosso;
- Etna rosé: same composition as Etna Rosso;
- Etna sparkling wine: from Nerello Mascalese grapes for at least 60%. The rest from other Sicilian vines.

They are very fragrant wines with a marked minerality as a consequence of the richness of the lands where they are born.

9. “I vini d’a Muntagna”

If you are planning to go to Sicily to taste Etna DOC wines do not be surprised if someone will tell you about the "“I vini d’a Muntagna” (vini=wines; Muntagna=mountain). The "Muntagna" is the dialectal nickname with which the Sicilians identify Etna!

10. Wine and food pairings

Etna Doc red wines are full-bodied, warm and structured wines with characteristic mineral and spicy notes. They are perfect with pasta dishes with important sauces, red meat dishes and mature cheeses.

White wines are very mineral and aromatic, with strong citrus notes, as well as a good structure. They are ideal for any fish dish, perfect with seafood dishes.