THE INFINITE ENERGY OF
THE ACTIVE VOLCANO, THE TALLEST IN EUROPE.
Cavanera Contrada Zucconerò - Sciara del Tiglio
Etna DOC
Nerello Mascalese
It encapsulates the energy of the volcano with elegance and depth, remaining faithful to the earth by nature. Cavanera Contrada Zucconerò is born from Nerello Mascalese grapes grown within a Cru in Contrada Zucconerò in the territory of Castiglione di Sicilia, on the northeast side of Mount Etna. An Etna D.O.C. red that possesses the essence of the volcano’s peculiar traits, founded on character and longevity. The passage in tonneaux for at least a year and a minimum of 6 months of bottle aging is already a distinctive sign that expresses the roundness of the tannins, great balance, and particular persistence on the palate. The nose is rich with fruity hints of plum, blackberry, and floral notes of wilted rose with delicate spiciness of pepper and nutmeg. Sumptuous, lively, opulent, rich in elegant tannins that confer harmonic persistence.
- Appellation: DOC Etna
- Vine: Nerello Mascalese.
- Terroir: Mountainous
- Soil: Sandy characterized by a significant presence of stones with good aggregation due to the presence of organic matter.
- Exposure: North side of Mount Etna volcano, altitude 780/800 meters above sea level.
- Contrada: Zucconerò
Production Area
Etna – Contrada Zucconerò
Contrada Zucconerò is situated at the northern altimetric limit of the Etna DOC, at approximately 800 meters above sea level. It features sandy soils with various granulometries, characterized by a significant presence of stones with good aggregation state due to the presence of organic matter. From a climatic perspective, viticulture is practiced here in a pure “mountain” climate, with substantial temperature fluctuations, reaching up to 20°C during the growing season.
Cavanera Contrada Zucconerò
The contrada wines by firriato
They originate from single vineyards spanning a few hectares, ensuring a limited and niche production. The vineyards and parcels are characterized by the natural typification that some contrade on the north side of the Grand Volcano are able to determine, with well-defined characteristics for quality and, above all, for the continuity of harvests and vintages. Zoning, vine and grape selection, and microvinifications have marked a research path that has elevated traditional grape varieties to excellence: Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio for black berries, Carricante and Catarratto for white berries.
Cavanera Contrada Zucconerò
Vintages Characteristics
2020
During the course of 2020, the harvest in the northeastern area of the volcano unfolded smoothly, thanks to a climate characterized by temperatures below the seasonal average, with the exception of the first decade of August, and abundant precipitation that slightly delayed the ripening and harvesting phase. Significant temperature variations, especially during the spring, played a crucial role in ensuring an extraordinarily high quality of grapes, imparting intense and complex aromatic profiles to the wines. The Nerello Mascalese grapes, harvested during the first week of October, exhibited a slower maturation process, allowing for a considerable accumulation of aromatic substances.
Cavanera Contrada Zucconerò
The contrada wines by firriato
2020
James Suckling: 92 pts
The Recipe
Pork tenderloin larded with Cavanera red wine jus, sweet and sour vegetables, and roasted eggplant quenelle.
Place whole onions in a baking dish and bake at 180°C until fully cooked. Slice the onions into medallions and bake for another ten minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the parsley sauce. Blanch the parsley for about a minute and then immerse it in cold water with ice to fix the emerald green color.
