In the glass

Medium-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryLong, Mineral finish

Aroma: dark cherry, rose, volcanic earth, tobacco

Palate: cherry-plum, iron mineral, charcoal, dried herbs

Cottanera's single-contrada Calderara Sottana Etna Rosso: firmer and more structured than the estate red, showcasing the depth of this historic north-slope contrada.

What it pairs with

  • Grilled lamb with wild herbs and lemon
    The wine's firm tannins and herb complexity frame the lamb perfectly.
  • Pasta al cinghiale (wild boar ragu)
    The wine's dark-fruit richness and earthy mineral notes pair with the gamey ragu.
  • Aged Pecorino Siciliano DOP
    Firm tannins and saline mineral cut through the intense aged sheep's-milk cheese.

How to serve Cottanera Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana

Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Grilled lamb with wild herbs and lemon, Pasta al cinghiale (wild boar ragu), Aged Pecorino Siciliano DOP. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Cottanera introduced the Calderara Sottana single-contrada bottling in 2014 to highlight the exceptional quality of this historic north-slope plot, neighboured by the celebrated Terre Nere Calderara parcel. The wine represents the estate's most structured and age-worthy Etna Rosso.

  1. 2014 — First Calderara Sottana single-contrada vintage from Cottanera

Facts

Producer
Cottanera
Grapes
Nerello Mascalese
Classification
Etna Rosso DOC
Oak
18 months in large Slavonian oak botti
ABV
13.5%
Price
€38-60 at retail
Drinking window
5-18 from vintage
First vintage
2014

Frequently asked about Cottanera Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana

What does Cottanera Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana taste like?

On the nose, dark cherry, rose, volcanic earth, tobacco. On the palate, cherry-plum, iron mineral, charcoal, dried herbs. Structurally medium-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long, mineral finish. Cottanera's single-contrada Calderara Sottana Etna Rosso: firmer and more structured than the estate red, showcasing the depth of this historic north-slope contrada.

When should I drink Cottanera Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana?

Drink 5-18 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Cottanera Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana?

Grilled lamb with wild herbs and lemon is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Pasta al cinghiale (wild boar ragu) and Aged Pecorino Siciliano DOP. The wine's firm tannins and herb complexity frame the lamb perfectly.

What grapes are in Cottanera Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana?

The blend is Nerello Mascalese. The wine is classified as Etna Rosso DOC.

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