mercoledì 30 ottobre 2013

ERSE, Etna DOC Rosso, in the Ukraine

_ERSE, Etna DOC Rosso Tenuta di Fessina. Tasting in the Ukraine with Egor and D&P Selezioni_ PRESS Erse, DOC Etna. Erse is the name of the goddess of the dew; goddess of the call of the sunrise and the dew on the vines and grapes at dawn. Made from 80% Nerello Mascalese and 20% Nerello Cappuccio harvested in October. The wine is fermented in stainless steel for eight to 10 days, macerated for two to three days with two to three pumpovers daily. Erse is a delicate, textured red which reveals gorgeous inner perfume and a silky core of fruit in a medium-bodied style. A very elegant and feminine wine. Pair this wine with sautéed meat and spinach or fish with spicy tomato sauce. “TENUTA DI FESSINA Erse Etna Rosso 2010 – 92 points. The 2010 Etna Rosso Erse emerges from the glass with sweet red cherries, crushed flowers, spices and mint, all in a medium-bodied style that is hugely appealing. Firm yet harmonious tannins frame the vibrant finish. The Erse is that rare wine that manages to be intense yet not at all heavy. In that sense it captures many of the elements that make the wines of the Etna so compelling. The 2010 is 80% Nerello Mascalese and 20% Nerello Cappuccio, aged in stainless steel” (The Wine Advocate #205, February 28, 2013) “TENUTA DI FESSINA Erse Etna Rosso 2009 – 92 points. This blend nerello mascalese (80 percent) and nerello cappuccio from a vineyard planted in 1920. It’s fermented and aged in stainless steel, though the tannins are powerful enough to create the richness oak aging might bring to the wine. The deep raspberry flavors feel supple, their juiciness held tight by mouthwatering acidity. A refined expression of Etna, approachable now if decanted” (Wine & Spirits, June 2013, Reviewed in “Year’s Best Southern Italy”) In “The Essence of Etna” Anthony Giglio writes about how wines from the hillside of Sicily’s Mount Etna reflect the unique, volcanic terroir. SILVIA MAESTRELLI, owner of TENUTA DI FESSINA, spoke with Giglio about her relationship with the volcano: “Visiting Etna helps you understand just how small Man is,” she says. “[Etna is] outlandish in its landscape: in the fire around Randazzo, at the foot of the frightening volcano, and the raining fire and boiling lava; and outlandish in the ability of the people of Etna to live so closely within such an apparently hostile and difficult environment, without feeling the need to dominate it.” Instead, she explains, they, “participate in the life of the volcano, with respect and empathy, and trust in the inexhaustible resources of this truly extraordinary environment.” Included in Giglio’s recommendations: TENUTA DI FESSINA Erse Etna Rosso 2010. “Here’s a perfect example of the paradox of Etna Rosso wines: its ruby color and bright berry and minty aromas would lead you to believe that it’s a simple crowd pleaser, but in the mouth it reveals complex black fruit flavors of plums and raisins, with grippy tannins, leading to a balanced, mouthwatering finish.” (La Cucina Italiana, July/August 2013, by Anthony Giglio) “Tenuta di Fessina _Property of Federico Curtaz, one time agronomist for Angelo Gaja, and an old friend of Marco de Grazia, who suggested he buy this property in Rovittello, which is cooler than Randazzo to the west, and thus produces a quite different, more floral and less weighty style of Etna Rosso that is refined and elegant. Importer: A Leonardo Lo Cascio Selection, Winebow, Montvale, NJ. _ Tenuta di Fessina 2011 Etna Rosso Erse Sicily ($35) 91. Medium ruby-garnet color. Pretty, subtle black fruit, mineral-tar and floral spicy aromas showcase pure Nerello Mascalese character. Elegant, and firm at once, the wine shows a solid moderately intense core of fruit. A very good base level Etna Rosso, it has good acidity and finishes clean with firm tannins. Overall, very pleasant” (The International Wine Review. The winees of Sicily – June/July 2013 _ i-winereviewed.com). Tenuta di Fessina has earned Winery of the Year honors from Wine & Spirits magazine for 2013. From Wine&Spirits: “Each year, our panels and critics blind taste more than 12,000 wines, to present the most compelling wines to our readers. We recognize brands with the most consistent performance and the highest scores as our Top 100 Wineries of the Year. Fessina’s range of exceptional wines makes it a great ambassador for Sicily”