Al Cantara Mount Etna Tasting at Wine Watch

“I have lived temperately, I double the doctor’s recommendation of a glass and a half of wine a day and even treble it with a friend.”

― Thomas Jefferson

And we have doubled that with a record breaking start to the month of March with an incredible line-up of events, many of them selling out without event sending an e-mail announcement!!  So make sure to check out our calendar of events to stay up to date on the KILLER wine tasting opportunities here at the Wine Watch.

We still have a few seats for tomorrow night’s event featuring Bouchard Pere Et Fils 2012 vintage Burgundies.  This tasting will feature the outstanding 2012 vintage wines from village to Grand cru with a few Chablis from William Fevre also on the table.  This is one of your first chances to taste the outstanding 2012 vintage from one of Burgundies top producers.  This was a very small crop so if you are interested in 2012's you may want to check out our pre sell on these wines. 

I love introducing new wines to our wine drinking people and one of the greatest discoveries that I have made over the last few years from Italy are the wines of Mount Etna.  We visited this region on our trip with the Silver Seas and the terrain looked like we were on another planet. The indigenous varietals here are not found anywhere else and they are truly unique expressions of this special place.

Join us as we taste through Carricante, Grecanico, Nerello Cappuccio, Nerello Mascalese and more.  We have Gianluca Cali the International Sales and Export Manager here to present the wines and tell us about the unique Mount Etna growing region.  Wine Watch Caterings Toni Lampasone will be making a few small courses to accompany the tasting wines and the fee for this event is $45 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

Al Cantara Tasting at Wine Watch

Tuesday, March 18th

7pm

2012 Al Cantara A Nutturna Bianco IGT

Price: $25.50       Sale $22.44          Case $260

Near Mount Etna on Sicily 43 hectares of estate vineyards Gewurztraminer and Carricante, all stainless steel, has some of that perfume, rose petal, and spice from the Gewurtz, white peach and fruit cocktail with white pepper spice.  A bright and zesty wine on the tongue with a slight spritz like quality, very refreshing with some of that floral nuance and orange citrus and white pepper spice on the finish.  Finish 40+               Excellent             

Al Cantara  Occhi di Ciumi Carricante and Grecanico

Price: $25.25       Sale $22.22          Case $258

White wine made of a blend of the grape varieties Carricante, Grecanico and to a smaller percentage other white grapes.?The grapes are cultivates on the Etna Mountain, in a vineyard with a planting density of 6000 vines per hectare. The cultivation is espallier with Guyot pruning, which facilitates the cultivation performed manually. The ratio for the blend varies from year to year depending on the quality expressed by the individual vines during the year.?The land is mostly volcanic, rich in minerals and skeleton.?The harvest takes place at different times depending on the grape varieties: the grapes hand harvested in small baskets are immediately de-stemmed and placed in the press.?The must is decanted for 24 hours and then purified from the coarser lees is fermented in stainless steel tanks at temperatures of 16-17 ° C for about a week and subsequently the malolactic fermentation takes place.?Before the winter, a final cut is made before aging for about six months on the lees.

2010 Al Cantara Luci Luci Etna Bianco     

Price: $26.25       Sale $23.10          Case $268

100% Carricante and this winery is at the base of Mount Etna, this wine has a rich and very distinct minerality notes, anise and floral perfume like notes here, candied orange, a very distinct and rich wine on the tongue with apricot, Asian pear and an oily texture very thick and long on the finish with some of that floral quality orange blossom and a strong dose of minerality on the finish.  Finish 45+          Excellent +

The wine is brilliant, clear straw yellow and the nose feels the aromatic complexity that sets this wine apart, with notes of intense floral and tropical fruit. In the mouth it is fresh, complex, with good sapidity (full-flavoured).

Al Cantara “U Tocco” Pinot Nero IGT 2009

Price: $37.50       Sale $33.00          Case $382.50

This wine is cultivated in a valley between the mountains Nebrodi and the volcano Etna at an altitude of 650 meters asl. The grape, Pinot Noir, of great international prestige, has adapted particularly well to the volcanic soil. The vines are cultivated using the Guyot system and the ancient system “Alberello” (“small tree”). This dual system depends on the size of the “terraces” were the vines are planted. Guyot: in the larger terraces; “Alberello”, in the smaller terraces, in order to keep the terroir intact. The grapes are harvested by hand in small baskets and de-stemmed. The grapes are collected in stainless steel tanks where fermentation takes place together with the marc (skins) at a temperature of 26-28 °C. At the end of alcoholic fermentation, approximately 9 days, the wine remains with the grape marc for about a month. The wine is then transferred in 225 litres oak barrels where it is kept for six months to age. After an additional year of aging in steel tanks, the wine is ready for bottling.?The wine is ruby red with good consistency. The nose perceives hints of red fruits, vanilla and lastly sweet notes of cocoa. In the mouth it is soft, fresh and fruity with elegant tannins.

Al Cantara La Fata Galanti Nerello Cappuccio

Price: $26.50       Sale $23.32          Case $271

Nerello Cappuccio is the grape variety of this wine; traditionally this variety is blended together with the Nerello Mascalese to enrich the colour of the DOC ETNA, but in this version of single variety it expresses its full potential.?The vineyard is located in the north of the volcano at an altitude of 650 meters above sea level. The volcanic soil is rich in minerals and structure.?The vines were planted in 2006/2007 and are cultivated in espalier with a density of 6,000 vines per hectare. The grapes are harvested by hand in baskets, afterwards crushed, de-stemmed and collected in stainless steel tanks where after a short cold maceration the alcoholic fermentation takes place together with the marc at a temperature of 24-26 º C, ensuring that it is kept wet and making repeated fullings. At the end of the alcoholic fermentation, approximately 9 days, the wine is transferred into stainless steel tanks where the malolactic fermentation takes place and subsequently refined on the lees (sur lie) for at least 9 months.?The wine is deep ruby red with purple tinges; the nose initially perceives a scent of cherries and berries, followed by spicy notes. In the mouth it is warm and soft with good freshness, moderate tannins and rather persistent finish. ?Food pairings: red meats or drink it alone as an aperitif.

Al Cantara  Muddichi di Suli Nerello Mascalese

Price: $26.50                       Sale $23.32          Case $271

This wine is a varietal of Nerello Mascalese in order to enhance the characteristics of this native grape of Etna.?The vineyard is located in the north slope of the volcano at an altitude of 650 meters above sea level. The volcanic soil is rich in minerals and structure. The vineyard is cultivated in espalier with a density of 6.000 vines per hectare.?The grapes are harvested by hand in small baskets and immediately pressed and separated from the stems. The grapes are collected in stainless steel tanks where fermentation takes place together with the marc (skins) at a temperature of 25 ° C. After 5 days the marc is pressed and the fermentation is completed in steel tanks.?After the alcoholic fermentation, the wine is placed in stainless steel tanks where the malolactic fermentation takes place on the lees (sur lie). The wine is ruby red, transparent with good consistency. On the nose, we perceive hints of red fruits, cherry and spices.?In the mouth, it is soft, fresh with elegant tannins, dry with a long finish. Food pairings: red meat roasts, braised meat, roasted mushrooms

Al Cantara  Lu Veru Piaciri Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio

Price: $28.00       Sale $24.64          Case $286

This wine is the result of our search for simplicity, the search for the simple things we need to escape the grind and toil of everyday life, such as a good glass of red wine.?This wine, a Etna DOC, can be drunk on its own or may accompany a good meat dish. Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio, are the grape varieties that give life to the Etna Rosso DOC.?The vineyard is located in the north slope of the volcano Etna at an altitude of 650 meters above sea level. The volcanic soil is rich in minerals and nutrients. The vines are grown in espaliers with a density of 6.000 vines per hectare. Carefully selected, the grapes are handpicked and brought into the winery where they are separated from the stalks and are then gently crushed and pressed. The grapes are transferred to stainless steel tanks for where fermentation takes place at 25°C, followed by malolactic fermentation.

The wine is deep ruby red with consistent flavours. The nose, initially perceives floral notes of red fruits, almonds, cinnamon and cocoa. In the mouth it is smooth and fresh, tannins typical of the grape varieties lead to a dry finish. The wine goes well with roasted red meats, pasta timbale and cold cuts.

2008 Al Cantara O'Scuru O'scuru Etna Rosso       

Price: $40.50       Sale $35.64          Case $414

A blend of the Two Nerellos Mascalesi and Cappuccio, a good amount of minerality here also along with a game like character to the plum and cherry fruit.  The name is derived from the local river and each of the labels is inspired by a local poet.  A very juicy wine on the palate with lots of red berry fruit and a very distinct earth and mineral  and slight game like notes, dried flowers, a Potpourri of spice, fruit and earth notes, very exotic.  Finish 45+ Excellent +         

Al Cantara  Lu Disiu Geuurztraminer IGT Sicilia Passito

Price: $66             Sale $58.08          Case $673

Menu

Chinese five spice tuna with tarragon beurre blanc and Soba noodle Salad

Chicken Paillard with Spring Greens Bacon and citrus vinaigrette

the cellar: