Mt. Etna: Home to Passopisciaro
August 26th, 2011
In the picturesque seaside village of Taormina, Sicily it seems as though time has stood still. Ancient churches and Greco-Roman influences fill the cobblestone street while clementines & lemons grow wild up the brick buildings. Sicilian children play soccer in the piazza while tourists sip caffe con panna overlooking the Mediterranean. But the largest thing you will notice as you climb twisting road into town is Mt. Etna.
Mt. Etna is the largest active volcano in Italy and its volanic ash creates fertile soil, a perfect addition to an emerging wine region. At 2t, one of our favorite wines on the list includes the 2008 Passopisciaro direct from the slopes of Mt. Etna, high above the town of Taormina.
Winemaker, Andrea Franchetti created his vineyard on the north side of Mt. Etna, in the town of Castiglione di Sicilia.Thanks to the high altitude, old vines and rich soil, Andrea Franchette was able to produce the award winning wine, Passopisciaro. Nerello Mascalese is the grape, brilliant ruby color, perfume of great elegance, with that extraordinary, mineral depth that characterizes the great wines of Etna.
Passopisciaro 2008 recently recieved 93 points from Wine Advocate, "The 2008 Passopisciaro emerges with gorgeous textural richness in its elegant, silky tannins. Despite its considerable concentration, the wine literally floats on the palate with layers of perfumed red fruits. Everything is perfectly balanced in this harmonious, utterly impeccable wine."
Passpisciaro 2008 is currently available on our wine list at $90 per bottle. There is a limited supply available so please join us soon. Ciao Ciao!