In the glass
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. -
Wild mushroom risotto
Iron-mineral notes and volcanic earthiness echo the umami depth of wild mushroom. -
Sicilian caciocavallo silano
The cheese's mild smokiness complements the wine's charcoal and dark-fruit notes.
How to serve Passopisciaro Contrada C (Chiappemacine)
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- 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.
- 2007 — Inaugural vintage of the Passopisciaro contrada series, redefining cru wine from Etna
Facts
- Producer
- Passopisciaro (Vini Franchetti)
- 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.