Wine from Etna | Classic
Mount Etna is not only the highest mountain in Sicily, but also Europe's most active volcano - a fascinating natural phenomenon that has shaped the landscape and viticulture of the region for thousands of years. Even in ancient times, the inhabitants of Sicily were aware of the exceptional soils and the special microclimate of this unique terroir. The area has been classified as a DOC since 1968, and the regulations were updated in 2014 to better define the high quality of the wines.
The Etna wine-growing area extends at an altitude of between 450 and 1,100 meters above sea level and mainly comprises the northern, eastern and southern slopes of the volcano. The highest vineyards are therefore among the highest in Italy. The region's finest red wines grow particularly in the north, around Randazzo, while the best white wines are produced in the east, for example near Milo. Due to the steep slopes, cultivation often takes place in traditional terraced vineyards, which characterize the landscape and require careful, almost laborious manual work.
The volcanic terroir is the key to the uniqueness of Etna wines. The soils consist of lava, ash and sand and are extremely rich in minerals. They provide the vines with natural drainage, which promotes deep rooting and gives the wines an impressive complexity. The constant volcanic activity also means that the soil is continually renewed and naturally influences the growth of the vines.
After a long period of relative neglect, the wine world has rediscovered the immense potential of Etna in recent decades. Today, the region is one of the most exciting and dynamic wine-growing areas in Italy. In particular, indigenous grape varieties such as Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio for red wines and Carricante for white wines are at the heart of production. These grape varieties produce elegant, mineral wines that impress with their finesse and longevity.
Despite its growing popularity, viticulture on Mount Etna remains an exclusive affair. The cultivated areas cover less than 1,000 hectares - a tiny number compared to other large wine-growing regions in Italy. But it is precisely this limitation that makes it so attractive: Each wine tells the story of an extraordinary terroir, characterized by fire and earth, tradition and innovation. Today, Etna is not only a geological sensation, but also an oenological one. - Gerardo [04/25]
"Etna is not only currently spitting fire again, it is also considered a hotspot of Italy's wine regions. The Etna wine region provides the basis for exceptional wines." - Falstaff
"Since then, Etna has virtually been considered the cool-climate region of the south. The very unique combination of volcanic soils and altitude - at 3400 meters, Etna is the highest volcano in Europe - creates finesse-rich wines with a pronounced salty-mineral flavor." - Falstaff
Region: Sicily Classic: Vulcanic Wines
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Alta Mora · Etna Bianco DOC 2022Cusumano, Sicily
The Etna Bianco Alta Mora from Cusumano reveals the freshness and minerality of the volcanic region with clear brilliance. The Carricante grapes, from the privileged Contrada Praino vineyards near Milo and the Contrade Verzella, Pietramarina and Arrigo near Castiglione di Sicilia, give the wine a deep yellow color in the glass. The nose is dominated by lively notes of Granny Smith apple, red grapefruit and a hint of lemon blossom, which bring a fragrant lightness. On the palate, it impresses with a crisp...
€ 17,50 € 16,99 = 22,65 €/L
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Alta Mora · Etna Bianco DOC 2023Cusumano, Sicily
The Etna Bianco Alta Mora from Cusumano reveals the freshness and minerality of the volcanic region with clear brilliance. The Carricante grapes, from the privileged Contrada Praino vineyards near Milo and the Contrade Verzella, Pietramarina and Arrigo near Castiglione di Sicilia, give the wine a deep yellow color in the glass. The nose is dominated by lively notes of Granny Smith apple, red grapefruit and a hint of lemon blossom, which bring a fragrant lightness. On the palate, it impresses with a crisp...
€ 17,50 = 23,33 €/L
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Alta Mora · Etna Rosato DOC 2023Cusumano, Sicily
The Etna Rosato Alta Mora grows on a small vineyard of just one hectare in the Contrada Solicchiata, at an impressive 750 meters above sea level. The delicate salmon pink color in the glass already announces the delicate aroma, which combines notes of fresh red berries, juicy cherries and delicate rose petals. On the palate, it is juicy and lively, with a fresh fruitiness and a distinctive minerality that leads to a pleasantly dry and elegant finish. A multi-faceted rosato that unmistakably shows the...
€ 17,50 = 23,33 €/L
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Alta Mora · Etna Rosso DOC 2021Cusumano, Sicily
Etna Rosso Alta Mora is a complex red wine characterized by its terroir, which is cultivated on just twelve hectares in the special vineyards of Verzella, Pietramarina, Feudo di Mezzo and Solicchiata near Castiglione di Sicilia. In the glass, it glows an intense crimson red, reflecting the concentration and depth of its aromas. Finely interwoven notes of raspberry unfold on the nose, accompanied by spicy nuances that lend the bouquet an elegant complexity. On the palate, it shows a perfect balance between...
€ 17,95 = 23,93 €/L
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Contrada Taccione · Etna Bianco DOC 2023 (Bio)Planeta, Sicily
The Etna Bianco Contrada Taccione has a straw-yellow color with light green reflections. The nose initially reveals fresh apple notes, which are typical of wines from high altitudes, accompanied by easily recognizable mineral nuances reminiscent of mint and underlining the wine's volcanic origins.
€ 19,95 = 26,60 €/L
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Etna Rosso DOC 2022Planeta, Sicily
The Etna Rosso has a bright ruby red color in the glass. The nose reveals a seductive bouquet of preserved red berries, rose petals and a hint of oriental spices, which emphasize the special character of the wine. On the palate, the typical tannins of Nerello Mascalese dominate, giving the wine structure, while the gentle refinement in wood adds a pleasant softness and depth. Etna Rosso is an elegant and well-balanced wine that perfectly reflects the strength and freshness of the Etna...
€ 19,95 = 26,60 €/L
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Mofete Rosato · Etna Rosato DOC 2023Palmento Costanzo, Sicily
The Etna Rosato Mofete from Palmento Costanzo has a delicate, brilliant rosé hue and an elegant bouquet on the nose. Fine aromas of wild strawberries and violets are combined with subtle hints of Mediterranean herbs such as thyme and sage. This multi-layered composition of aromas reflects the wine's volcanic origins and gives it a special depth.
€ 19,95 = 26,60 €/L
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Mofete Bianco · Etna Bianco DOC 2023Palmento Costanzo, Sicily
The Etna Bianco Mofete from Palmento Costanzo has a straw-yellow color of medium intensity and a fascinating aroma. Lively citrus notes unfold on the nose, accompanied by a fine mineral character reminiscent of the volcanic origin of the soil. Nuances of Mediterranean herbs and a hint of white peach lend additional depth and elegance to the bouquet.
€ 19,95 = 26,60 €/L
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Mofete Rosso · Etna Rosso DOC 2021Palmento Costanzo, Sicily
The Etna Rosso Mofete from Palmento Costanzo has an elegant, light ruby red color and exudes a multi-layered bouquet. Fresh red fruits such as raspberries and sour cherries are in the foreground, accompanied by a fine spiciness and subtle notes of volcanic ash. This unique mineral character is typical of Etna's soils and gives the wine a special finesse and depth.
€ 19,95 = 26,60 €/L
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Sul Vulcano · Etna Rosso DOC 2020Donnafugata, Sicily
The Etna Rosso Sul Vulcano impresses with its bright ruby red color and a delicate bouquet of wild berries, wild flowers and spicy nuances of cinnamon and nutmeg. The palate is fresh and lively, the moderate tannins are harmoniously integrated and give the wine a pleasant structure. The finish is long and balanced, with a fine mineral note reminiscent of its volcanic origins. A versatile wine that is ideal with Mediterranean dishes and autumnal dishes such as mushroom risotto or braised...
€ 21,95 = 29,27 €/L
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Nardalici · Etna Rosso DOC 2017Terre di Giurfo, Sicily
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€ 21,95 = 29,27 €/L
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Alta Mora Feudo di Mezzo · Etna Rosso DOC 2016Cusumano, Sicily
The Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo comes from impressively old vines - some of which are over 100 years old - that thrive in the Contrada Feudo di Mezzo on volcanic soils at an altitude of around 650 meters. With an intense garnet-red color, this wine presents itself in the glass and exudes a multi-layered, red berry aroma interspersed with fine spicy notes. On the palate, it displays dense fruit and an elegant, well-balanced structure that is supported by the minerality of the Etna soil. The long, profound...
€ 30,95 = 41,27 €/L
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Alta Mora Guardiola · Etna Rosso DOC 2016Cusumano, Sicily
La Guardiola, the legendary winery on the north-eastern slopes of Mount Etna, produces a truly top wine with its Etna Rosso Guardiola, whose vines, on average 150 years old, are ungrafted and cultivated on terraces at an altitude of 900 to 1,000 meters. The terraces, supported by dry stone walls, blend harmoniously with the wild beauty of the Mediterranean scrubland, and this closeness to nature is reflected in the wine. The Etna Rosso Guardiola has a deep garnet red color and an intense bouquet of ripe...
€ 32,95 = 43,93 €/L
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Alta Mora Guardiola · Etna Rosso DOC 2015Cusumano, Sicily
La Guardiola, the legendary winery on the north-eastern slopes of Mount Etna, produces a truly top wine with its Etna Rosso Guardiola, whose vines, on average 150 years old, are ungrafted and cultivated on terraces at an altitude of 900 to 1,000 meters. The terraces, supported by dry stone walls, blend harmoniously with the wild beauty of the Mediterranean scrubland, and this closeness to nature is reflected in the wine. The Etna Rosso Guardiola has a deep garnet red color and an intense bouquet of ripe...
€ 32,95 = 43,93 €/L
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Alta Mora Feudo di Mezzo · Etna Rosso DOC 2019Cusumano, Sicily
The Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo comes from impressively old vines - some of which are over 100 years old - that thrive in the Contrada Feudo di Mezzo on volcanic soils at an altitude of around 650 meters. With an intense garnet-red color, this wine presents itself in the glass and exudes a multi-layered, red berry aroma interspersed with fine spicy notes. On the palate, it displays dense fruit and an elegant, well-balanced structure that is supported by the minerality of the Etna soil. The long, profound...
€ 36,95 = 49,27 €/L
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Contrada Marchesa · Etna Rosso DOC 2018Donnafugata, Sicily
The Etna Rosso Contrada Marchesa, shimmering in bright ruby red, seduces with an elegant bouquet that combines aromas of small red berries, subtle spices and a hint of undergrowth. This multi-layered aroma is complemented by balsamic nuances and a fine mineral note that reflects the unmistakable volcanic origin of this wine. The Contrada Marchesa is wonderfully balanced on the palate, with an impressive freshness and structure. The delicate tannin structure underlines its finesse and gives the wine a long,...
€ 52,95 = 70,60 €/L
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Fragore · Etna Rosso DOC 2020Donnafugata, Sicily
The Etna Rosso Fragore, a pure Nerello Mascalese, develops a radiant ruby red color in the glass and masterfully expresses the volcanic soils of Etna. Its deep bouquet seduces the senses with notes of sweet tobacco, nutmeg and juicy redcurrants, underpinned by fine balsamic accents and a hint of flint. The Fragore impresses on the palate with its complex yet elegant structure, which is supported by a lively minerality. The present tannins lend the wine finesse and depth, which linger on the finish. This...
€ 56,95 = 75,93 €/L
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Contrada Marchesa · Etna Rosso MAGNUM DOC 2018 (1er Holzkiste)Donnafugata, Sicily
The Etna Rosso Contrada Marchesa, shimmering in bright ruby red, seduces with an elegant bouquet that combines aromas of small red berries, subtle spices and a hint of undergrowth. This multi-layered aroma is complemented by balsamic nuances and a fine mineral note that reflects the unmistakable volcanic origin of this wine. The Contrada Marchesa is wonderfully balanced on the palate, with an impressive freshness and structure. The delicate tannin structure underlines its finesse and gives the wine a long,...
€ 130,00 = 86,67 €/L
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Region: Sicily Classic: Vulcanic Wines
Wine from Etna | Classic | Buy at Gerardo
The vineyards around Mount Etna can almost be called their own wine region, so distinctive and unique are the wines from there. The strength is clearly in the white wines, which stand out for their salty taste and mineral notes reminiscent of flint. The red wines are somewhat in the background of the great whites, but are not to be despised: Etna Rosso are rather light-bodied drops, so very different from some opulent red Sicilians. The red wines from Etna all have something Burgundy-like in common, which is due to the relatively cool climate and the grape variety Nerello Mascalese.
After pioneers such as Giuseppe Benanti or the Belgian Frank Cornelissen, long-established wineries on the island have also recognized the quality potential of Etna and acquired vineyards. Today, the who's who of the wine scene can be found at the foot of the volcano, from Tasca d'Amerita to Planeta and Cusumano to Donnafugata, all of them are represented at the 'Fire Mountain'. - Gerardo [TS09/22]