WINERY: I Custodi
COUNTRY: Italy
REGION: Sicily
APPELLATION: Etna Rosso DOC
GRAPE: 80% Nerello Mascalese, 20% Nerello Cappuccio
WINEMAKER NOTES: From younger vines at 700 meters altitude in Contrada Moganazzi, on the north side of Etna. Farming is certified organic. “Pistus” is Latin for the Italian pestato (tread - by foot). In the old days, the vineyard workers would stomp the grapes and macerate them briefly to make the fresh, easy wine that they drank every day and all day. I Custodi's wine is of course an updated version, pressed with a press, fermented briefly in stainless steel, and aged in concrete and then in bottle
TASTING NOTES: It is fresh, lively, thirst-quenching, and delicious, with that unmistakable volcanic crunch. Savory and spicy, the wine’s smokey core is trimmed by a focused nose of juicy currants, wild berries, wet forest floor, pine resin, lavender and fresh purple florals.
PAIRING SUGGESTIONS: It’s a great match with spring vegetables of all kinds. For an Etna twist on an Italian classic, try it with spaghetti with tomato sauce finished with chopped pistachios. Also, excellent with savory dishes with nutmeg.
ABOUT THE WINERY: Mario Paoluzi created I Custodi in 2007, after befriending Mount Etna guru Salvo Foti, who took him to a vineyard that was for sale. I Custodi is a member of Foti’s I Vigneri (the vineyard workers) consorzio, which provides a team of vineyard workers who are expert at tending Etna’s old bush-trained vines in volcanic soils and other technical assistance, as well as the group’s bottle with the embossed alberello vine and “I Vigneri 1435” – the year the original I Vigneri winegrowers’ guild was formed in Catania.
Available ONLY for pick up, delivery or shipping in California.