Federico Curtaz Il Purgatorio Etna Rosso

The village of Biancavilla, on Etna’s southern slopes, hosts the old Il Purgatorio contrada, where these Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio vines grow on volcanic soils. The grapes are picked by hand, then fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel before spending a year in small oak barrels and a further 12 months in larger casks, followed by extended bottle ageing to refine the structure.

In the glass, this is a deep yet understated Etna Rosso, bright ruby in colour, with silky tannins, finely judged fruit and a spine of refreshing acidity that gives length, poise and a clear sense of line.