Agronomist and vintner Salvo Foti is one of the giants of viticulture on Sicily’s Mount Etna. His “I Vigneri” project is an association of local growers whose hand-farmed vineyards are some of the most prized old-vine parcels in the region. Using Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio grapes from vineyards often nearing 100 years of age, Foti crafts an ‘entry level’ Etna Rosso that is simply the Gold Standard in this fast-evolving wine zone. Fermented on native yeasts in concrete tanks, this is a pure, mineral-driven expression of Etna that wouldn’t be out of place next to great Pinot Noirs from Burgundy. Dark cherry fruit, wildflowers, lots of underbrush and warm spice, and a hint of tobacco characterize this brisk, medium-bodied red—a natural with baked pastas, Sicilian caponata, pizza…you name it! Unoaked and gorgeously perfumed!