2019 Girolamo Russo - Etna Rosso DOC Feudo di Mezzo

Grown on steep northeast-facing slopes in Mascalucia, the 2019 Girolamo Russo Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo comes from one of producer Girolamo Russo’s oldest vineyards in the municipality. Planted on ancient volcanic ash and basalt, the 100% Nerello Mascalese grapes capture the region’s signature salinity and structural finesse. Harvested by hand, the fruit ferments spontaneously and spends roughly twelve months aging in large, neutral Slavonian oak casks. This minimal-intervention approach preserves primary fruit expression while allowing slow oxygen exchange to refine the tannins.

The 2019 vintage struck an exceptional balance between warmth and cooling Adriatic breezes, yielding a wine with bright acidity, moderate alcohol, and layered aromatic complexity. Expect a pale-to-medium ruby hue carrying scents of crushed red cherry, wild strawberry, dried rosemary, potting soil, and wet basalt. On the palate, the wine feels light-to-medium bodied with silky tannins, linear minerality, and a lingering saline finish. Open it two hours before serving to let the youth mellow, though it is already approachable now and capable of graceful aging through 2030.

This Etna Rosso pairs best with dishes that mirror its earthy brightness and moderate tannin load. Serve alongside grilled octopus dressed with fennel pollen and lemon, wild boar ragù over rustic pasta, aged Pecorino Siciliano, or mushroom and chestnut risotto. The wine’s crisp acidity also cuts cleanly through cured Salumi Siciliani and tomato-based preparations. Supplied in a standard 750ml format, this bottling delivers a precise snapshot of volcanic viticulture without relying on heavy oak masking or extraction.