In the glass
Aroma: wild cherry, dried rose, incense, volcanic mineral
Palate: tart cherry, iron, charcoal, fine dry tannins
Vigne Vecchie (old vines) showcases the depth of Calabretta's ungrafted Nerello: light in colour but profound in mineral detail, with the incense-and-iron character of century-old Etna vines.
What it pairs with
-
Slow-cooked Sicilian rabbit alla cacciatora
The wine's savoury mineral depth and fine tannins complement the rustic hunter's stew. -
Braised pork cheeks with capers and olives
Iron-mineral notes and cherry-herb complexity pair beautifully with braised pork. -
Aged Caciocavallo Silano DOP
The wine's savoury mineral character elevates the mild smokiness of aged Caciocavallo.
History
Vigne Vecchie represents the best of Calabretta's ungrafted Nerello Mascalese planted before phylloxera arrived on Etna. The fourth-generation estate farms 12.5 hectares using only copper and sulphur, and the wine is produced without fining or filtration, embodying the philosophy of minimal intervention that the estate has practised for over a century.
- 2004 — First Vigne Vecchie vintage released in the modern era
Facts
- Producer
- Azienda Vinicola Calabretta
- Grapes
- Nerello Mascalese
- Classification
- Etna Rosso DOC
- Oak
- 24 months in large old Slavonian oak botti (no new oak)
- ABV
- 13.0%
- Price
- €28-45 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2004
- Biodynamic
- Biodynamic Practicing
- Organic
- ORGANIC CERTIFIED