2024 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana, Bella-Colonna

• Style: Pale ruby Nerello Mascalese, lean and structured
• Taste: Ripe red fruit, white pepper, mineral grip, firm tannins
• Food: Roasted game, aged cheese, mushroom risotto, rabbit
• Occasion: Date Night; Gifting
• Serve: Now or age 8–10 years; 15% ABV, bone dry

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Pale ruby with mahogany edges, this wine opens with ripe red fruit and white pepper before revealing a lean, structured palate built on firm tannins and distinctive mineral grip. The 2024 vintage—marked by summer drought followed by late August rain—locked in acidity and ripeness in equal measure, delivering a wine of freshness and purity that demands thoughtful food pairing. At 15% ABV with 5.5g/L acidity, it won't overwhelm lighter fare, yet its savouriness commands respect.

The Winery — Bella-Colonna

Marco de Grazia pioneered modern Etna and retained ownership of vineyard parcels around the renowned Calderara Sottana contrada on the northern slopes. The Bella-Colonna range sits at elevations up to 900 metres on volcanic soils, with many old bush-trained vines—some over a century—catching cool mountain air and night-time chill. His approach focuses on expressing each site's individuality through careful vineyard management and site-specific cellar work. The 2024 spent 14 months in French oak and tonneaux, adding structure and subtle spice while preserving the fruit. Organic and vegan certified, sealed with natural cork.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Pair this with roasted game birds, aged goat's cheese, beef with a peppery crust, mushroom risotto, or rabbit—anything that meets its savoury character head-on. The high acidity and moderate alcohol make it versatile across lighter and richer fare alike. This is a wine for those exploring Nerello Mascalese at the premium end of what the grape achieves on Etna's northern face. It sits alongside our wider Italy selection as a reminder that the world's most ageworthy and thought-provoking reds come from places where vines must struggle. Drink now, but it will reward patience—expect this to develop beautifully over the next 8–10 years. A perfect gift for serious wine lovers or a memorable date-night bottle.