Armagia Etna Rosso Red Wine, Italy 2019

The slope of an active volcano is a wild, but magical, place to make wine...as you're about to discover. Armagia Rosso is a complex, barrel-aged red blend showcasing old-vine native grapes harvested from the slopes of Mt. Etna, Sicily.

Mt. Etna is the highest and most active volcano in Europe. Winemaker Filippo Mangione says "Everything is so intense here—the nature, volcano, soils and climate." The slopes have rich, fertile soils shaped by centuries of volcanic ash and pumice deposits, but eruptions bring unpredictability and uncertainty. The rugged, steep terrain makes vineyard care laborious—yet the unique wines make it all worthwhile.

Filippo's precious old vines yield few grapes, but the bunches they do produce are intensely concentrated. Here, Filippo opted for a classic blend of native Sicilian grapes Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. He named it "Armagia" after the traditional stone piles in his vineyards that once served as shelters for local sheep herders.

In the cellar, Filippo aged the wine for 18 months in chestnut barrels. His medium-bodied red brims with delicate berry, red cherry, nutmeg, cedar and thyme. Generous tannins add structure to its complex, elegant finish. Like many Sicilian reds, Armagia has the tannins and vibrant acidity to complement richer dishes, such as roasted red meats, Sicilian caponata and hearty pastas, including Pasta alla Norma.

Order a few bottles today and discover the thrills of volcanic wine.