“Giuseppe Russo makes some of the best wines on Etna. Full stop.” – Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
Elegance, energy and power are the hallmarks of Etna wines.
Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo, and Riesling drinkers rejoice! Sicily’s Mount Etna is the next stop on your wine journey, and what better place to begin than with pioneer producer Girolamo Russo.
The renaissance of Etna wines really kicked off in the early 2000s, with a flurry of local and imported vignerons converging on the volcanic slopes to champion Etna’s indigenous varieties - predominantly Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Capuccio and Carricante. The melting pot of new and old ideas created a passionate dynamic that is still present in these wines today. Experimentation and new approaches were welcomed, as Etna’s wines evolved in leaps and bounds, to be hailed by the global wine community.
“The Burgundy of the Mediterranean” – Marco de Grazia, Tenuta delle Terre Nere
Guiseppe Russo re-established the family vineyards in 2005, naming the new winery Girolamo Russo in honour of his father. Russo produces both reds and whites from Etna’s three main varieties on 15 hectares of organically farmed vineyards set between 650 and 780 metres above sea level. Guiseppe’s wines helped fuel Etna’s reputation on the international stage, cementing their place as iconic and highly-respected representations of Etna, alongside the likes of Frank Cornelissen, Donnafugata, and Tenuta delle Terre Nere. His high-scoring contrade wines (single-site) are considered an absolute joy to taste.
Today we are offering selected vintages of some of Russo’s most celebrated wines, as well as a rare multi-vintage set of Girolamo Russo San Lorenzo Etna Rosso.
“San Lorenzo is one of the most impressive interpretations of Etna.” – Monica Larner
We probably tend to think of Sicily as a warm growing climate, but the 3300m elevation of Mt Etna and her starkly contrasting diurnal temperatures (the difference between day and night) mean that the wines produced on her volcanic slopes are elegant and nuanced, rather than ripe and overblown. At such high elevation, the warm Sirocco winds from North Africa bring enough rain to obviate irrigation, and in winter the highest parts of the volcano see snow.
The volcanic soils,however, really impart the personality and minerality that make these wines truly unique. The mineral rich, black volcanic soils are incredibly fertile and varied, as layers of solidified lava flows have created over 130 identified contrade. Vineyards are laid out in a crescent moon shape skirting the north, east and western slopes of the volcano. To entrust your livelihood to the whims of an active volcano must take a great deal of tenacity, but the benefits reaped from this incredibly unique environment are considered worth it.
Etna Rosso wines are elegant yet powerful, made predominantly from Nerello Mascalese (at least 80%). The combination of remarkably energetic acidity and brooding tannins create complex yet immediately enjoyable wines, complemented by red fruit aromatics, striking minerality and savouriness.
Etna Bianco’s possess terrific minerality, vibrancy and citrus notes. The main variety Carricante is bright, zesty and aromatic in its youth but ages like a riesling, throwing those classic petrol-notes as the wine develops.
