From: Sicily, Italy
Varietal: Nerello Mascalese

Taste: The 2020 Benanti Lamoremio Brut Rosato Metodo Classico strikes the senses with its stunning pink hue highlighted with light ruby accents. The delicate aroma, laden with hints of red fruit: windswept strawberries and raspberries, primes the palate for the first sip. There’s a beachy minerality present on the nose as well, aromas of sea spray, zesty citrus, puff pastry and dried Mediterranean herbs. The taste reveals the wine's dry and mineral qualities, balanced beautifully with pleasant acidity, a slight tannic feel, and persistent red fruit flavors. This sophisticated Rosato leaves a lasting impression with its numerous, fine, and persistent bubbles.

Pairing: At 12% alcohol, this Rosato pairs excellently with a variety of dishes. Whether it's cold cuts, cured meats, fresh cheese (we’re sharing a Sicilian combination of the former below), vegetables, white meats, seafood, or marinated or cooked fish-based recipes, this versatile wine can enhance the flavors of your meal. It also serves as a delightful companion for casual by-the-glass occasions.

Sicilian Involtini With Ham and Cheese
By David Tanis

About. From the sun-soaked slopes of Mount Etna to the romantic dinner tables of wine lovers around the world, the 2020 Benanti Lamoremio Brut Rosato Metodo Classico Etna DOC is the epitome of Sicilian winemaking heritage and excellence. This enticing sparkling Rosato is an eloquent expression of the Benanti family's passion for crafting territorial wines with a unique “sense of place”.

The roots of winemaking in the Benanti family extend back to the late 1800s in the humble town of Viagrande, Sicily. It was Giuseppe Benanti who established the namesake winery in 1988, striving to bring the unique character of Etna's indigenous grapes to the world stage. In 2012, after a quarter of a century at the helm, Giuseppe passed the torch to his sons, who now continue the family's legacy.

The Benanti winery is nestled on the sides of Mount Etna, aptly described as “an island within the island” of Sicily. Here, the Benanti family cultivates 100% native grape varieties including Carricante, Nerello Mascalese, and Nerello Cappuccio. Their vineyards span across the North, East, South-East, and South-West slopes of the Etna volcano, making Benanti the only winery with vineyards on every slope of the Etna DOC area. The diversity of climatic influences and volcanic soils from each slope results in unique and exquisite wines.

The Etna DOC, formed in 1968, was the first of its kind on the Sicilian island. As the slopes climb up from near-sea-level to more than 1200 meters, the terrain provides a spectrum of mesoclimates. The rich volcanic soils, an outcome of numerous eruptions, contribute to the distinct characteristics of the wines from this region. The mineral-rich soils combined with abundant sunlight and the island's naturally hot and bright climate ensure the grapes ripen fully.

The 2020 Benanti Lamoremio Brut Rosato Metodo Classico is produced from Nerello Mascalese, the noble indigenous red grape variety of Mount Etna. The grapes are sourced from vineyards located on the southern slopes of Mount Etna. These vineyards are blessed with high altitude and abundant sunlight, making them especially suited for this varietal. The grapes are hand-picked and softly pressed, followed by fermentation in steel tanks at a controlled temperature. The wine matures on its lees until late spring, followed by a second fermentation induced by selected yeasts. After 24 months, the disgorgement and dosage occur. The wine then rests for at least three months before it is ready to be enjoyed.