Cuore di Marchesa Etna Rosso
Pairs with: Sicilian pasta alla Norma topped with aged salted ricotta, slow-simmered wild boar or pork ragù over pappardelle, pan-seared duck breast with a wild pomegranate reduction, grilled swordfish steak with Sicilian capers and herbs, or a platter of aged Pecorino Pepato.
Good for: Captivating Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo purists who crave high-altitude tension and translucent elegance; elevating a rustic Mediterranean feast with a hauntingly atmospheric volcanic red; or exploring small-production, low-intervention Sicilian winemaking that favors pure fruit and stone over heavy oak.
Grape: 100% Nerello Mascalese.
I am from: Etna DOC, Sicily, Italy (Sourced from high-altitude, terraced vineyards carved into the northern volcanic slopes of Mount Etna).
The Story: Cuore di Marchesa is the boutique creation of winemaker Pietro Di Giovanni, a native Sicilian whose passion centers on unlocking the raw, authentic voice of Etna’s historic contrade (vineyard districts). In a region that has seen a surge of commercial investment, Pietro’s operation remains stubbornly artisanal, grounded in organic farming, hand harvesting, and a reverence for indigenous grapes. His goal is simple: to capture the untamed spirit of Europe's most active volcano without letting heavy-handed cellar techniques alter the picture.
Tucked into the mineral-rich, black volcanic soils—composed of ancient lava flows, decomposed basalt, and pumice ash—the vines thrive under intense diurnal temperature shifts. Sun-soaked Mediterranean days give way to cool mountain nights, slowing the ripening process to build complex aromatics while maintaining a roaring beam of natural acidity. In the cellar, Pietro focuses on low-intervention purity. Fermentation occurs spontaneously with native yeasts, vinified partially in stainless steel and partially in earthenware amphorae (coccio pesto). This gentle, non-extractive approach preserves Nerello Mascalese’s delicate pale color and bright red-fruit core, allowing the wine's distinct mineral and botanical tones to take center stage.
Why You'll Love Me: It is a hauntingly aromatic, high-toned red that perfectly exemplifies the "iron fist in a velvet glove" character of Mount Etna—offering weightless, light-to-medium-bodied agility alongside deceptive structural depth. In the glass, it shows a pale, luminous ruby-garnet color. The nose is instantly evocative and atmospheric, opening with vibrant aromas of tart red cherries, wild strawberries, and pomegranate juice, intricately layered with top notes of pipe tobacco, dried rose petals, wild thyme, and a distinct whisper of smoky ash and damp slate. On the palate, it hits with striking clarity and focus; a core of crunchy red fruit is framed by fine, chalky tannins and a lively, mouthwatering mountain acidity. It moves gracefully across the tongue, culminating in a dry, lingering finish marked by hints of blood orange zest and a persistent, crushed-basalt mineral snap.
