Region: Mount Etna (North Face), Sicily, Italy
Grapes: ~85% Nerello Mascalese, ~15% Nerello Cappuccio, Alicante, Grenache & others
Body: Light-Medium
Notes: Volcanic soul in a glass. Fresh red cherry, plum, dried herbs, iron, smoke. Fine-grained, elegant tannins with electric tension and a dusty, mineral finish. High-altitude purity — think Burgundy by way of lava rock.
Pairing: Grilled swordfish, pappardelle with game ragù, aged cheeses, roast pork.
Additional Info: Eduardo Torres Acosta is a Canary Islands native — born in Tenerife, where his father (a postman) kept a small vineyard plot. Driven by curiosity, Eduardo moved to Sicily in 2012 and interned with Arianna Occhipinti in Vittoria before becoming enologist at Passopisciaro, one of Etna's new-wave pioneers. Despite his outsider status, he rented several prime parcels on Etna's north face and started his own project. The Versante Nord ("north slope") draws from six different contrade (districts) scattered between 550-850 meters elevation on sandy volcanic ash soils. Old bush vines averaging 50+ years, trained in traditional alberello, are interplanted with a field blend dominated by Nerello Mascalese. Hand-harvested, co-fermented spontaneously with native yeasts in concrete tanks without sulfur or temperature control. Maceration lasts ~15 days. Aged 16 months in concrete with minimal racking. Bottled unfined, unfiltered, with a tiny amount of sulfur. Labeled IGT Terre Siciliane (not DOC) by choice. Imported by Louis/Dressner Selections.
Region: Mount Etna (North Face), Sicily, Italy
Grapes: ~85% Nerello Mascalese, ~15% Nerello Cappuccio, Alicante, Grenache & others
Body: Light-Medium
Notes: Volcanic soul in a glass. Fresh red cherry, plum, dried herbs, iron, smoke. Fine-grained, elegant tannins with electric tension and a dusty, mineral finish. High-altitude purity — think Burgundy by way of lava rock.
Pairing: Grilled swordfish, pappardelle with game ragù, aged cheeses, roast pork.
Additional Info: Eduardo Torres Acosta is a Canary Islands native — born in Tenerife, where his father (a postman) kept a small vineyard plot. Driven by curiosity, Eduardo moved to Sicily in 2012 and interned with Arianna Occhipinti in Vittoria before becoming enologist at Passopisciaro, one of Etna's new-wave pioneers. Despite his outsider status, he rented several prime parcels on Etna's north face and started his own project. The Versante Nord ("north slope") draws from six different contrade (districts) scattered between 550-850 meters elevation on sandy volcanic ash soils. Old bush vines averaging 50+ years, trained in traditional alberello, are interplanted with a field blend dominated by Nerello Mascalese. Hand-harvested, co-fermented spontaneously with native yeasts in concrete tanks without sulfur or temperature control. Maceration lasts ~15 days. Aged 16 months in concrete with minimal racking. Bottled unfined, unfiltered, with a tiny amount of sulfur. Labeled IGT Terre Siciliane (not DOC) by choice. Imported by Louis/Dressner Selections.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.