Firriato Cavanera Etna Rosso Rovo Delle Coturnie 2018

This wine is calling out for a porkchop. Not only is it a single vineyard wine, but the vineyard is dedicated to producing this label only. Right away it's pretty clear that it's mostly Nerello Mascalese, but the other grape involved is Nerello Cappuccio. It has a lighter body weight, bright acidity, and fine-grained tannin. There's a nice minerality with metallic notes of iron and nickel, rustic notes of barnyard and damp earth, and then there's fruit roll-up with a strawberry finish. Very nice and enjoyable; not bad at all for the average price of $35.

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Wine Review: Alta Mora Etna Rosso 2014

Cusumano isn't just Tony Soprano's doctor and neighbor. They're a Sicilian family winery now in their third generation with impressive vineyard spots for both their classic style wines and new age, trailblazing wines. Their entry level Nero d'Avolla is good quality and pretty popular among the average wine consumer in the US, but their other wines likes their Insolia are also nice.

Alta Mora is their new project. It's not a new label or brand as an extension of their winery, it's an entirely new winery itself. The focus of this winery is their vineyards on the slopes of the active volcano Mount Etna, so the name "Alta Mora" represents the high altitude and the dark volcanic soil.

The Etna Rosso is 100% Norello Mascalese. This is an indigenous grape to Sicily, mostly grown around Mount Etna, that is almost like a cross between a light and earthy Pinot Noir and the high acid, high tannin, tarry Nebbiolo. It may be outshined by Nero d'Avola on the market, but it will not be outshined in the glass.

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