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 2021 Etna Rosso Contrada Monte Gorna lifts from the glass with a distinctly savory blend of mentholated herbs, ash and dried black cherries. This is lifted and pure in style, with tart wild berries and saline minerals that add a tactile edge. Brisk acidity guides the finish, tapering off long, dry and structured, with a web of fine tannins that grab hold of a lingering fruit concentration.” — Vinous, Jun 2024
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Vineyard & Production Info
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:
12,000
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
Total SO2
88
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.5
Acidity:
5.88 g/L
Alcohol:
13 %
Dry extract:
29.5 g/L
Total SO2
88
Residual sugar:
<1 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.