Passopisciaro Contrada P Terre Siciliane IGT 2021
Passopisciaro
Andrea Franchetti's Passopisciaro project maps Etna's contrade with obsessive precision, and Contrada P — from the Porcaria vineyard on Etna's north face — is a vivid demonstration of how volcanic fire, stored in the soil for millennia, shapes a wine's identity. Nerello Mascalese here is lean, focused, and electric.
Nose
Bright wild cherry and dried rose petal, layered with volcanic minerality and a subtle herbal quality. A light smokiness from the lava-rich soils adds intrigue.
Palate
Medium-bodied with a racy acidity that drives the wine forward. Red berry fruit is precise and lifted, framed by fine-grained tannins. There is a savory, almost ashy quality that speaks directly to the volcanic terroir — crushed rock and iron filings beneath the fruit.
Finish
Long and mineral-driven, with lingering cherry and a dusting of dried herbs.
- Varietal
- Nerello Mascalese
- Blend
- 100% Nerello Mascalese
- Vineyards
- Contrada Porcaria, north face of Mount Etna, ~700m elevation
- Alcohol
- 12.6%
- Organic / Biodynamic
- No
Food Pairing
Grilled swordfish steak served over Sicilian caponata — the wine's acidity and mineral intensity complement the meaty fish and the sweet-sour vegetables.
Founded by the late Andrea Franchetti in 2000 on Etna's north slope, Passopisciaro cultivates old-vine Nerello Mascalese across individual contrade — volcanic parcels each with their own altitude, soil, and exposure.
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