Etna (wine)
Etna is a wine-growing region at the foot of the Sicilian mountain Etna . The wines produced here ( Etna DOC ) have had a "controlled designation of origin " ( Denominazione di origine controllata - DOC) since 1968 , which was last updated on March 7, 2014.
geology
This highest mountain on the Mediterranean island is also the most active volcano in Europe. The cultivation area extends in a belt between 450 m and 1100 m altitude from Randazzo in the north via Milo in the east to around the southern slopes of Mount Etna. The soil is volcanic and very rich in minerals and consists largely of lava, ash and sand. This so-called decay soil consists of eruptive materials of different ages. The high nutrient content of iron, copper, phosphorus, magnesium and other minerals guarantees a good harvest.
history
It is believed that wine has been growing on Etna for 20,000 years. Vines had been cultivated even before the island was conquered by the Greeks. The Greeks improved viticulture and imported new grape varieties such as Carricante , which has since become the most important white grape in the region under the name Grecanico. Even in antiquity , the Etna wines were described as being particularly suitable for alleviating illnesses, for prevention and as tasty.
Cultivation
The following municipalities in the metropolitan city of Catania are approved for cultivation and vinification : Biancavilla , Santa Maria di Licodia , Paternò , Belpasso , Nicolosi , Pedara , Trecastagni , Viagrande , Aci Sant'Antonio , Acireale , Santa Venerina , Giarre , Mascali , Zafferana Etnea , Milo , S. Alfio, Piedimonte Etneo , Linguaglossa , Castiglione and Randazzo .
In 2017, 35,859 hectoliters of DOC wine were produced from 908 hectares of vineyards.
generation
According to the denomination, the quality designations bianco , bianco superiore , rosso , rosso riserva , rosato and spumante are allowed. Each of these qualities is precisely specified in the decree by the composition of the grape varieties .
Article 4 includes all provisions that regulate planting, the type of cultivation and pruning, and working conditions. The hectare yield for all wines with the exception of Riservas is 9 t / ha , Etna rosso riserva only 8 t / ha. Even in productive years, this limit must not be exceeded by more than 20%. As with Etna bianco , the natural alcohol content is 11 percent by volume , Etna bianco superiore to 11.5 percent by volume, Etna rosso and Etna rosato to 12 percent by volume, and Etna rosso riserva 12.5 percent by volume for Etna spumante it is set at 10% by volume.
Article 5 contains the standards for winemaking. Then the winemaking, fermentation, maturation, bottling and aging in the bottle must take place in the area of cultivation. Riserva wines are stored for at least four years, of which at least one year in wooden barrels. Sparkling wine may only be produced through natural fermentation in the bottle on the lees for at least 18 months.
Article 6 contains descriptions of the color, smell, taste and minimum alcohol content of the wines; Articles 7 and 8 regulate labeling and packaging. According to this, the wines must be marked with the year of production and can be provided with a brand name and the manufacturer's name, provided this does not lead to misleading. Further attributes for wine labeling are not allowed. Sales sizes between 0.187 and 5 liters are allowed.
White wines
White wine ( bianco ) must contain at least 60 percent Carricante , i.e. a maximum of 40% Catarratto Bianco comune as a blend . In addition, up to 15% of the total volume is also possible as Trebbiano grapes or as autochthonous Minella bianca . Bianco superiore contains at least 80% Carricante, the remainder may be used from Trebbiano, Minella and other non-aromatic white wines that are approved for cultivation in the Sicily region .
Red and rosé wines
The most important red wine variety here is Nerello Mascalese and must be 80% in the wine, up to 20% Nerello Cappuccio (Nerello Mantellato) and up to 10% other, including white, grape varieties that are used for cultivation in the Sicily region are permitted allowed to.
sparkling wine
The share of Nerello Mascalese must be at least 60% and up to 40% of other grape varieties permitted in the region of Sicily. The sparkling wine can be developed as rosato or bianco .
Descriptions
According to the denomination (excerpt):
Etna Bianco
- Color: straw yellow, sometimes with light golden reflections
- Smell: delicate, characteristic
- Taste: dry, fresh, harmonious
- Alcohol content: at least 11.5 % by volume , for "Superiore" at least 12.0% by volume
- Acidity : from 5.5 g / l, for "Superiore" from 5.5 g / l to 7 g / l
- Dry extract: at least 18.0 g / l
Etna rosso
- Color: ruby red - tends to garnet red with increasing maturity
- Smell: intense, characteristic
- Taste: dry, very warm, full, harmonious
- Alcohol content: at least 12.5 % by volume , for "Riserva" at least 13% by volume
- Acid content : at least 5.0 g / l, for "Riserva" at least 4.5 g / l
- Dry extract: at least 20.0 g / l
literature
- Valeria Camaschella (Ed.): Lexicon of Italian Wines - All DOCG & DOC wines . Hallwag, Gräfe and Unzer, Munich 2002, ISBN 3-7742-0756-9 , p. 287 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e f g Disciplinare di Produzione della Denominazione di Origine Controllata (production regulations and description). (PDF) In: ismeamercati.it. November 27, 2017, accessed July 7, 2018 (Italian).
- ^ Salvo Foti: Etna. I vini del vulcano , Giuseppe Maimone Editore, p. 18, 2nd edition 2012, ISBN 978-88-7751-343-4
- ↑ Viticulture in figures 2018. (PDF) In: VQPRD d'Italia 2018. federdoc.com, accessed on June 4, 2019 (Italian).