Tenute Bosco, Piano dei Daini, Etna Rosso DOC, Sicily, Italy, 2020

Producer Profile

Sofia Ponzini started Tenute Bosco in 2010 in an attempt to breathe life back into two small vineyards on the slopes of Mount Etna, on land reclaimed 300 years ago following the volcano’s last major eruption.

Some of the vines here are over 120 years old, and pre-date phylloxera. There is more living history in the shape of the traditional ‘alberello’ method of training, in which the vines are left free-standing but protected from the wind by dry stone walls. Sofia is intent on reviving the traditions of this land, and also the indigenous Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio and Carricante grape varieties. Her wines not only have a sense of place, but of history too.

Viticulture

The vines for the red are Espalier trained and around 20 years old, hand-picked into cases after the second week of October.

Winemaking

The grapes are destemmed and gently crushed and the juice racked off via a gravity flow system into steel vats where a controlled temperature fermentation takes place. Daily punch downs to ensure the correct aroma and colour is extracted from the skins. After malolactic fermentation, the wine ages in French oak tonneau for 10 months then in steel vats.

Tasting Note

Characterised on the nose with armoas of red fruits and a slight herbaceous and spicy note. Excellent tannic structure and uplifted by wonderful acidity.

Food Matching

Red and white meatsm semi seasoned cheese and of course.... pasta!

Awards