What kind of wine is Etna Rosso DOC “San Lorenzo” 2021 - Girolamo Russo

The Etna Rosso DOC “San Lorenzo” 2021 - Girolamo Russo is a red wine of great personality, an authentic expression of the northern slopes of Etna. It is primarily made from Nerello Mascalese grapes and a small percentage of Nerello Cappuccio, two native Sicilian grape varieties that, together, convey the complexity and charm of this volcanic terroir. In the glass, it presents itself as a wine with a balanced and refined body, capable of combining structure and elegance with a profound territorial identity.

Vintage Details

The 2021 vintage proved to be among the most harmonious in recent years in this area of Etna. The thermal excursion between day and night favored a slow and complete maturation of the grapes, ensuring fine tannins and a perfect balance between freshness and aromatic concentration. The harvest, performed manually, allowed for a careful selection of the best bunches, contributing to the purity and expressive precision of the wine.

Vinification and Aging

After harvesting, the grapes of Etna Rosso DOC “San Lorenzo” 2021 - Girolamo Russo are destemmed and the must ferments spontaneously in steel thanks to indigenous yeasts. Maceration on the skins – i.e., the contact between must and skins to extract color and tannin – lasts about 13 days. This is followed by a long aging of 20 months in French oak barriques, during which the wine slowly matures, acquiring balance, aromatic depth, and a silky tannic texture.

Tasting Notes

Color

To the eye, "San Lorenzo" 2021 presents a bright ruby red color with garnet nuances that reveal its youth and the promise of a refined evolution over time.

Nose

The aromatic profile is intense yet fine. Notes of ripe red fruits, cherry, and raspberry emerge, followed by floral hints of violet and delicate spicy accents of black pepper and sweet tobacco. With aeration, the wine opens up to mineral and slightly smoky nuances, typical of Etna's lava soils.

Taste

On the palate, it is broad, balanced, and full of energy. The tannin – that slight dry sensation typical of structured red wines – is present but fine, well integrated into the wine's texture. The persistence is long and enveloping, with a finish recalling sweet spices and a pleasant balsamic note. A wine that combines elegance and depth, ideal for those who love Sicilian red wines with an authentic character.

Food Pairings for Etna Rosso DOC “San Lorenzo” 2021 - Girolamo Russo

This Etna Rosso pairs best with meat dishes and typical Mediterranean cuisine. Recommended with:

• Grilled or stewed red meats (such as lamb or braised beef)
• Pasta with rich sauces, for example, pork ragu or porcini mushrooms
• Aged hard cheeses
• Flavorful baked fish, such as tuna or swordfish

Its versatility and mineral freshness make it a perfect companion for rich but not excessively seasoned dishes.

Storage and Aging: How to store Etna Rosso DOC “San Lorenzo” 2021 - Girolamo Russo

To maintain the quality of this wine, it is important to store it in a dark place, free from temperature fluctuations, and with constant humidity around 70%. The ideal storage temperature is around 14-16°C. Thanks to its solid structure and the mineral component derived from the volcanic soil, Etna Rosso “San Lorenzo” 2021 has excellent aging potential: if well-preserved, it can evolve for over 5 years, developing more complex aromas and an increasingly harmonious sip. A wine to buy today and let mature in the cellar, to enjoy an even deeper tasting experience in the future.