Nicosia Monte Gorna Etna Rosso

Nicosia Monte Gorna Etna Rosso

Wine Description

The Nicosia “Cru” wines of Etna come from the Monte Gorna estate, located in the Trecastagni area, very close to the wine cellar. A red and a white wine, made with organic grapes, that authentically represent the great expression that this terroir and its native vines can offer. These DOC wines are the demonstration that on the volcano each slope, each area, each vineyard can produce wines with different characteristics, giving unique and unrepeatable sensations. The composition of the eruptive materials gave life to composite soils, often made up small sized pumice stones, known as "ripiddu", found mostly on extinguished volcanic cones such as Monte Gorna; thier elevated drainage capacity and their wealth of potassium paly an important role in balancing the grape's maturation process. Even the climate distinguishes the Etna area respect to the rest of Sicily. The average temperatures on the mountains are lower and the climate also changes depending on the slope and the alyitude. From a winemaking standpoint, the wine diurnal temperature range is fundamental, as it gives the wines their goog freshness and elegant aromas. Nerello Mascalese is a black grape hystorically prevalent on Etna, that takes its name from Mascali territory where it was selected a few centuries ago. This is the base of the Etna Rosso DOC, which must contain at least 80% of Nerello Mascalese grapes.

Alessandro LoGenco, Agronomist of Nicosia Winery
Bunch of Nerello Mascalese grapes
Bunches of Frappato grapes Nicosia Vineyards in Vittoria
Cantine Nicosia with Mt. Etna in the background
Carmelo Nicosia current owner
Foto4 MonteGorna Vineyards Etna
Harvest in the Vittoria vineyards
Maria Carella, Nicosia Winemaker
Nicosia brand detail
Sunrise during the harvest in Etna vineyards
Vineyards of MonteGorna Etna drone
Vittoria Vineyards
Vittoria Vineyards
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Acclaim
“The 2019 Etna Rosso Contrada Monte Gorna wafts up with a dark and psicy mix of black cherries, cedar, balsam herbs and a hint of mocha. It’s silky and elegant in feel, with potent red fruits offset by saturating mineral tones, as fine tannins collect toward the close. A coating of sweet tannins lingers, as inner rose and a hint of licorice fade. The Contrada Monte Gorna spends twenty-four months in barrique, which you feel more than you taste, yet the result is really quite pleasurable.”
— Vinous, Jun 2022
“This classic Etna red has intense volcanic-lava character and an exciting interplay of fine tannins and restrained ripeness. More than enough red-cherry and redcurrant fruit to make this immediately appealing. Long, dry and mineral finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
— James Suckling, Oct 2021
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Vineyard & Production Info
Production area/appellation:
ETNA DOC
Vineyard name
Contrada Monte Gorna
Vineyard size
10 ha acres
Elevation:
2460 feet
Exposure:
southeastern
Harvest time:
in the mid-end of October
First vintage of this wine:
2018
Bottles produced of this wine:
15,000
Average Vine Age:
25 years
Certified Eco-Friendly Practices:
Made with Organic Grapes
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Winemaking & Aging
Varietal composition:
90% Nerello Mascalese; 10% Nerello Cappuccio
Fermentation container:
stainless steel tank
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
15 days days
Fermentation temperature:
controlled temperature (22-24°C) °F
Maceration technique:
pumping over
Malolactic fermentation:
yes
Fining agent:
vegan
Type of aging container:
stainless steel vats, barrique and oak casks
Length of aging before bottling:
50% of the wine stays 5-6 months in barrique and 5-6 months in large oak casks
Length of bottle aging:
6 months
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.7
Acidity:
>4 g/L
Alcohol:
13 %
Residual sugar:
<5 g/L
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Wine Production

Nerello Cappuccio, or Mantellato, is another red grape commonly found on the volcano. It is used to make Etna Rosso DOC, in a percentage no higher than 20%. It gives wine a higher chromatic intensity, compensating for Nerello Mascalese's weak colouring capacity.