Benanti Etna Rosso 2020
The wine has a pale ruby red color. The nose is ethereal and intense with hints of red fruits. The palate is dry and mineral with pleasant acidity and salinity, persistent and harmonious.
Appellation Etna D.O.C. Rosso
Grape variety Nerello Mascalese (c.80-85%), the noble indigenous red grape variety of Mount Etna; Nerello Cappuccio (c.15- 20%), a variety grown on the volcano for centuries
Production area Selection of grapes from vineyards located on the northern, south-eastern and south-western slopes of Mount Etna
Altitude 450 to 900 m a.s.l. / c.1,500 to c.2,950 ft a.s.l.
Climate Mountain and high hill climate, humid and rainy in the cooler season, with high ventilation and luminosity and significant diurnal range
Soil Sandy, volcanic, rich in minerals, with sub-acid reaction
Vine density Ranging from 6,000 to 8,000 vinestocks per hectare
Yield 7,000 – 8,000 kg/ha
Age and training system of vines Ranging from 10 to 60 years. Head-trained bush vines (“alberello”) and spurred cordon systems
Vinification The two varieties are vinified separately. Grapes are hand-picked in October, de-stemmed and softly pressed. Fermentation with maceration occurs at a controlled temperature in stainless steel, with indigenous yeasts selected in the vineyard by Benanti. About 80% of the Nerello Mascalese matures in stainless steel, while about 20% matures in oak barriques for 8-10 months. Nerello Cappuccio matures exclusively in stainless steel.
Refining In the bottle for approximately 10 months
| Winery | Benanti |
|---|---|
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Sicily |
| Wine Type | Red Wine |
| Grape variety | Nerello Mascalese |
| Bottle Size | Bottle |
| Vintage | 2020 |
Browse all Benanti Wines
"Benanti family turned world on to Etna. Bianco Superiore Pietramarina one of the Italy's best whites. Top: Etna Rovittello Particella 341, Serra della Contessa, "Selezione Contrade" (Rinazzo, Cavaliere, Monte Serra). - Hugh Johnson Pocket Wine 2022
"Benanti’s wine making history is synonimous with Etna wine making history. In fact, the hard work and excellent wines produced at this historic winery are what catapulted this unknown part of Sicily to the enological forefront. Benanti’s wines are among the best made on the volcano today." - Wine Advocate
"Today Benanti makes what might be Italy’s best white wine, the Etna Bianco Superiore Pietra Marina." - Wine Advocate
"The producer who sparked the Etna renaissance remains one of its best. The Etna Rosso wines are balanced and pure, with a red lushness upheld by stiff acidity and polished tannins. The salty, mineral laden Pietramarina is simply one of Italy's greatest white wines." - The Sommelier's Atlas of Taste by Rajat Parr and Jordan Mackay
Benanti winery was founded in 1988 in Castiglione di Sicilia, on the northern slope of Mount Etna in Sicily, by Catania-born Giuseppe Benanti, whose grandfather was a grower in the late 1800’s.
At that time no high quality fine wine had yet been produced in the Etna region, Giuseppe decided to hire a young local consultant called Salvo Foti, and sought the support of prominent advisors from Piedmont. Through recognizing the diversity, uniqueness and historical suitabilities to specific grape varieties of the different slopes and subzones of Etna, the estate has been purchased vineyards located at the various sites.
After over 20 years of hard work, Benanti has gained countless international recognition such as “Italian Winery of the Year” by the Gambero Rosso/Slow Wine wine guide, “Top- 100 Winery of the Year” by Wine & Spirtits magazine and was included in “Finest Italian Wines: 100 Great Producers” list by Wine Spectator for 3 years.
Since the end of 2012 the winery is run by Giuseppe’s twin sons Antonio and Salvino. Benanti’s aim is to produce highly “territorial”, elegant and balanced wines, with typical volcanic soul and distinct character, refined and ageworthy.
