# Femina Etna Rosso DOC (2021)

- **Producer:** Cantine Patria
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Nerello Mascalese
- **Region:** Sicilia, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €15
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 18–20 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, rose, violet, mint, bell pepper, cloves, cedar

## About this wine

Femina, meaning woman in Latin, is crafted as an ode to femininity and Mount Etna itself, which is revered in local matriarchal tradition as a protective mother figure. Produced by Cantine Patria under the Di Miceli family, this organic red wine comes from ten-year-old vines grown at 650 meters altitude in Contrada Pontale Palino on the northern slopes of the volcano in Castiglione di Sicilia.

## Interesting facts

- The wine name 'Femina' pays tribute to Mount Etna, locally revered as a maternal, protective figure.
- Grapes are grown on terraced volcanic slopes at 2,100 feet elevation on ancient magma flows.
- Awarded a Bronze Medal at the 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards for the 2021 vintage.

## Food pairing

The wine's bright volcanic acidity and firm yet polished tannins effortlessly cut through rich red meats, aged cheeses, and savory pasta ragùs, while its herbal and earthy complexity complements traditional Sicilian vegetable dishes like caponata.

## Wine making process

Hand-harvested in late autumn, the 100% Nerello Mascalese grapes undergo maceration and temperature-controlled fermentation using indigenous yeasts in horizontal rotating stainless steel vats for around 12 days at 22-24°C. The wine is aged in large Slavonian oak barrels (botte grande) for at least six months, followed by four months of bottle refinement before release.