Vinudilice Rosato 2024

Pale, dry, built on tension. The Vinudilice Rosato draws its energy from acidity and salinity rather than richness. At 12.0% ABV it stays light-footed without feeling thin; red fruit and cool minerality sit side by side rather than layered on top of each other.

The vineyards of I Vigneri lie on Mount Etna, Europe's highest active volcano, at altitudes of up to 1,200 metres. The soils are black and mineral-rich, formed from cooled lava, volcanic ash and sand. The vines are trained as alberello, the historic bush-vine method that UNESCO has declared a World Heritage practice: each vine is tended individually by hand, supported only by chestnut stakes from Etna. Iron posts, concrete pillars and wires have no place in these vineyards.

A blend of Minnella, Alicante and Grecanico, harvested from old vines, often ungrafted, that yield only small quantities. The grapes are gently processed in the historic palmento, the traditional press. Fermentation proceeds spontaneously with wild yeasts, and ageing follows in neutral vessels, used wooden casks and cement tanks. Salvo Foti rejects any chemical intervention.

Pale salmon pink with copper highlights. On the nose, red berries, citrus and Mediterranean herbs, underpinned by a mineral note. Dry, with juicy acidity and fine structure, the finish salty and long.

Pairs with grilled sardines, caponata and pasta alla Norma, as well as arancini, young pecorino or pane cunzato with tomatoes and anchovies.

Salvo Foti is regarded as a guardian of Sicilian winemaking tradition. Bringing three indigenous varieties together in a rosé is rare; the result is a wine that speaks of the volcano's terroir.