Santa Maria La Nave Etna Rosso “CALMAROSSA” 2018 (0,75 L)

Vinification notes:the vinification process is delicate and not at all invasive, in order to preserve the characteristics of the bunch and the signature nuances of the vintage, allowing to make a genuine wine, as the Etnean winemaking tradition dictates. At the end of the harvest, the crates are emptied into the destemmer-crusher. The rasps are extracted from the crusher and later used as a fertilizer. The remaining part, composed by skins and must, is poured into the stainless steel fermentation vessels. When they are full, the indigenous yeast is added and the temperature is brought to 26 °C, keeping it steady through the entire maceration process. The fermentation is monitored daily. With the same frequency, the wine is pumped over the marc cap. After three weeks of fermentation and maceration, the devatting takes places; after that, the wine is separated from the marc. The wine is poured into another vessel, while the marc is transferred through a single pump into the press and later conveyed into the distillery. A few days later the red wine is decanted, separated from the lees and poured into another vessel, so it can go through the malolactic fermentation at a controlled temperature of 18 °C. During this phase, the malic acid turns (thanks to the work of the malolactic bacteria) into lactic acid and carbon dioxide, reducing the overall acidity of the wine and making its taste more delicate. At the end of the malolactic fermentation, the wine is separated again from the lees and decanted in barrels of French oak, where it ages for at least 9 months. After the ageing process in wooden barrels, the wine is decanted in steel vessels, filtered, stabilized and finally bottled. Then the wine has to go through another ageing phase, which should last at least 6 months. Now it’s finally ready and can be tasted by its connoisseurs!

Organoleptic properties: Calmarossa is characterized by a brilliant ruby red colour, with subtle purple reflections. Its aroma is rich and refined. The penetrating scent of roses and wild violets blends with fruity, cherry and raspberry notes and then leaves space for some cinnamon and undergrowth nuances, along with a shade of graphite and traces of cocoa and liquorice. Ethereal traces of varnish exalt the complexity of its bouquet. At start its taste is full and captivating. Dry, warm and soft thanks to its volcanic glycerol. Its vivid freshness softens the strong alcoholic notes,
which harmoniously blends with a refined tannin. Persistent, balanced and with a rich and enveloping final note. A glass of true Etnean explosion!

Food pairing: Calmarossa is perfect when served with red meat and seasoned cheese. Other interesting pairings, even if more unusual, are oysters, sashimi, fried fish and Catalan style king crab. Great when served with pasta with sardines and tomatoes, or roasted octopus on a chickling pea bed. We suggest serving it at a temperature of 16-18 °C. When paired with raw fish, the ideal serving temperature is 12-14 °C.