Description
The farm and vineyards are located in the Northern valley of the Etna, an active volcano, in Sicily. Nowadays the northern valley is considered as Etna’s top area for single-vineyard (contrada) red wines like the “Côtes-de-Nuits” in Burgundy or Piemonte’s “Barolo” area. The estate’s surface area is approximately 24 hectares, of which 13ha are old vines in the classic free standing alberello training system (Gobelet or bush-vine), 9ha of old vines transformed into modern rows with various width, approximately 2ha of olive growth and the remainder are fruit trees, vegetables and bush. Although Etna has a tradition in high density plantation of vines, Cornelissen seeks to reduce monoculture and has thus interplanted various local fruit varieties which attract bees to regain a complex ecosystem. The new vineyards are planted without grafts, using a selection of our original, ungrafted vines.
Cornelisson’s farming philosophy is based on acceptance of the fact that man will never be able to understand nature’s full complexity and interactions, hence they choose to concentrate on observing and learning the movements of Mother Earth in her various energetic and cosmic passages and prefer to follow her indications as to what to do, instead of deciding and imposing ourselves.
MUNJEBEL® ROSSO CS, CONTRADA ZOTTORINOTO – CHIUSA SPAGNOLO
This pure Nerello Mascalese comes from our ungrafted vineyard in contrada Zottorinoto, more specific in the section Chiusa Spagnola, situated lower in the valley floor, a bit hidden in an amphytheater, surrounded by lava. A unique vineyard, planted around 1925 at a lower altitude (620m. asl) producing a profound, tannic wine, a bit more backward and Nebbiolo-ish compared to our other crus and lighter in colour.
Region: Etna, Northern valley
Vineyard: contrada Zottorinoto, cru Chiusa Spagnolo
Elevation: 620m. asl
Location: Solicchiata
Varietal: Nerello Mascalese 100%
Average age of vines: 80+ years
Vinification: Destemming and light crushing of the grapes
Fermentation: starting with a “pied-de-cuve” using only indigenous yeasts and skin contact for about 60 days
Aging: In neutral epoxy tanks from 1500 liters to 2500 liters
Fining: No
Filtering: Before bottling with cartridges of 5 micron
Sulphur: values can vary from 5 to 30 mg/l., added or not, depending on the quality of grapes and stability of the wine.
Annual production: approx. 2.500 bottles
First vintage: 2012
Denomination: Etna Rosso DOP or IGP Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese
Bottle type: Dark burgundy bottle
Available sizes: 750ML, 1500ML and 3000ML
Recommended glass: Zalto Burgundy
