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Region: Italy - Sicily - Etna
Grapes: 100% Nerello Mascalese
Alcohol: 13%
Notes on the Wine
“Ghiaia Nera” Etna Rosso DOC is named for the “black gravel” that you fine throughout the vineyards in Etna. The most accessible Tascante red, it is a great introduction to Nerello Mascalese and the red wine of Mt. Etna. The grapes are coming from younger vineyards in three Contrade –Sciaranuova, Piano Dario, Rampante. There are terraces, surrounded by chestnut and downy oak groves, a typical biodiversity that gives the wines their personality. Soft tannins, good drinkability and freshness. Aged in large oak cask for one year, allowing the personality of Nerello Mascalese to shine through.
Notes on the Producer
Founded in 1830, Tasca d'Almerita operates five estates in five territories, including Tascante on Mount Etna. Tasca d’Almerita is currently run by Count Lucio Tasca, along with his sons, Giuseppe, Vice President, and Alberto, CEO. For more than a decade, the Tasca family studied the terroir of the entire DOC, experimented with grapes sourced from different vineyards throughout the appellation and determined that Nerello Mascalese produced wine of incredible depth and complexity, reminiscent of Nebbiolo from the Langhe or Pinot Noir from Burgundy.
The Tascante project, derived from the words Tasca and Etna spelled backwards, brings together Tenuta Boccadorzo, with its 14 acres of vineyards planted on a series of interconnecting terraces surrounded by dry stone walls from the late 19th century and the walled vineyard, Tenuta Sciaranova. The two parcels total 52 acres and are located between the towns of Castiglione di Sicilia and Randazzo. The winemaker is Laura Orsi, and the consulting winemaker is Carlo Ferrini. In 2012, Tasca d'Almerita was named "Winery of the Year" by Gambero Rosso.
