Girolamo Russo 'A Rina' Etna Rosso 2023

“Intimate and profound” is how Giuseppe Russo describes the act of making wine on the slopes of Mount Etna. Here, in a place of untamable energy, Giuseppe seeks to express and respect the place of his birth, Passopisciaro, through his wines. Ancient vineyards at exceptional altitudes, organic farming and traditional methods combine to allow for nature’s maximum expression to shine on the northern side of this mighty Sicilian mountain. He is also part of a new, freestyle project called “I Suoli” in collaboration with his winemaker, Emiliano Falsini, and longtime friend Dante Pasqua. The three are convinced of the potential of sparkling wines and make a metodo ancestrale from Nerello Mascalese plus ethereal, Burgundian style reds from vineyards topping 1000 m in altitude.

“A ‘Rina” means sand in local dialect, a nod to the sandy volcanic soils from which this wine is made. It is a multi-contrada wine (from San Lorenzo, Feudo, and Calderara Sottana) that Beppe is quick to point out is not “entry level” but rather a symphony or melody of of the three different contradas from his estate that showcase their harmony with one another. Giuseppe strongly believes that the most balanced, complete wines are achieved as a composition from a variety of sites. 94% Nerello Mascalese with 6% Nerello Cappuccio to add color and amplify the fruit, the wine spends 12 months in Slavonian oak.