Profile

Structure

Bodymedium
Tanninfirm
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Oaklarge or old casks

Drinking window

Best 5 to 18 years from vintage.

vintage5 yrs18 yrs20 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating above is our own.

In the glass

Medium-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryLong, Mineral-Driven finish

Aroma: black cherry, volcanic mineral, dried violets, tobacco

Palate: dark cherry, iron, charcoal, spice

Contrada C Chiappemacine is among the lightest and most elegant of the Passopisciaro contrada series: fragrant, iron-tinged, with firm but fine-grained tannins.

What it pairs with

  • Slow-roasted pork shoulder with rosemary The wine's herb complexity and firm tannins pair beautifully with the slow-cooked pork.More wines for pork →
  • Wild mushroom risotto Iron-mineral notes and volcanic earthiness echo the umami depth of wild mushroom.More wines for risotto →
  • Sicilian caciocavallo silano The cheese's mild smokiness complements the wine's charcoal and dark-fruit notes.More wines for cheese →

With cheese

Maiorchino Our pick Maiorchino is delicate for a pecorino when young and turns piquant, ageing from about 8 months to as long as 24. Etna Rosso crus bring firm tannin, high acidity and dark cherry depth, the structure for an old, sharp wheel.

How to serve Passopisciaro Contrada C (Chiappemacine)

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. Slow-roasted pork shoulder with rosemary, Wild mushroom risotto, Sicilian caciocavallo silano. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Andrea Franchetti introduced the single-contrada series for Passopisciaro starting with the 2007 vintage, labelling each wine with its contrada letter (C for Chiappemacine). Chiappemacine lies at around 700-800 metres on the north slope, planted to pre-war Nerello Mascalese on sandy volcanic soils.

  1. 2007Inaugural vintage of the Passopisciaro contrada series, redefining cru wine from Etna

Facts

Producer
Passopisciaro (Vini Franchetti) · visiting guide
Grapes
Nerello Mascalese
Classification
Sicilia IGT
Oak
15 months in large French oak botti (25-50 hl)
ABV
14.0%
Price
€60-90 at retail
Drinking window
5-18 from vintage
First vintage
2007

Frequently asked about Passopisciaro Contrada C (Chiappemacine)

What does Passopisciaro Contrada C (Chiappemacine) taste like?

On the nose, black cherry, volcanic mineral, dried violets, tobacco. On the palate, dark cherry, iron, charcoal, spice. Structurally medium-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long, mineral-driven finish. Contrada C Chiappemacine is among the lightest and most elegant of the Passopisciaro contrada series: fragrant, iron-tinged, with firm but fine-grained tannins.

When should I drink Passopisciaro Contrada C (Chiappemacine)?

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 Passopisciaro Contrada C (Chiappemacine)?

Slow-roasted pork shoulder with rosemary is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Wild mushroom risotto and Sicilian caciocavallo silano. The wine's herb complexity and firm tannins pair beautifully with the slow-cooked pork.

What grapes are in Passopisciaro Contrada C (Chiappemacine)?

The blend is Nerello Mascalese. The wine is classified as Sicilia IGT.

Tags

cellar worthy dry firm tannin hidden gem high acid medium body mood contemplative mood elegant nerello mascalese occasion cellar occasion dinner party old vines old world pairs with aged cheese pairs with mushroom pairs with pork price premium single vineyard still red

Taste it where it is made: tastings near Passopisciaro (Vini Franchetti)

Etna wine tours (61) · Wine tastings and winery visits in Sicily (51) · Wine tours and day trips in Sicily (44)

See all 2017 bookable experiences in Sicily

← Back to wines in Sicily