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Legend has it that Ulysses offered a strong yet generous wine to Polyphemus, the son of Hephaestus (Efesto in Italian) the god of fire, setting him a flame. Other vignettes from the Odyssey recount how Ulysses pacified the cannibalistic Cyclops by offering wine from Mount Etna that the one-eyed monster described as drinking “like nectar and ambrosia all in one.” Many wine connoisseurs today would agree that the vineyards on Mount Etna, perched on the rumbling slopes of that active volcano at altitudes usually prohibitive to growing grapes to full ripeness, produce an utterly unique, absolutely enchanting, elegant wine. Exuding aromas of earth and minerals, the Nerello Mascalese-based reds are in fact reminiscent of Pinot Noir from Burgundy, a quality none would expect from a wine made in Sicily. In fact, in the past ten years the wines have grown such a following that many would consider Etna to be among the most interesting wine regions in development today.
One pioneering producer, Giuseppe “Pippo” Musumeci, took the leap from life-long grape cultivator to wine producer and bottler, and became an early proponent of the eventual new D.O.C. designation for Etna Rosso. His winery, Azienda Agricola Mosè, managed by his son Rosario, produced the delicious Efésto as a tribute to the rich history of both the grape and the landscape. Located in the mountainside village of Sant’Alfio in the province of Catania, the Musumecis run a genuine family estate complete with a rustic farmhouse and a 200-year-old working press. Their vineyards, located at dizzying altitudes of 1,000 meters above sea level, are all planted in the traditional alberello, or bush trained, style, are farmed by hand and without chemicals. Pippo is a welcoming and unpretentious man, just like his wine: generous and sincere. More...
OUR SELECTION
WINEAPPEAL.IT "ART IN A BOTTLE"
Without question, the traditions of art
and wine in Sicily have truly ancient roots. That the two should
pair together so naturally comes as no surprise: both elements
satisfy the immaterial needs of the human spirit; both are
sensitive and open to individual appreciation through contemplation
and taste, transcending their physical form to create a unique
experience and source of enjoyment. More... |
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