Etna Doc, record numbers for the 2022 bottled

If 2021 represented the year of the desired recovery, with data in line with the years preceding the start of the pandemic, 2022 clearly certifies the excellent state of health of the wine produced on the slopes of Etna. This is what emerges from the numbers relating to the bottled product for the calendar year 2022, analyzed and disseminated by the Etna DOC Protection Consortium .

In the year just ended, 43,651.09 hectoliters of wine were bottled, equal to just over 5.8 million bottles, with a growth of 28.68% compared to 2021. A figure which, if compared with 2019, last year before the start of the pandemic crisis and which had already closed in a very positive way, rises to 34.6%.

" If the excellent data of 2021 could be seen as a normal rebound compared to the previous year, scourged by the beginning of the pandemic, thanks above all to the reopening of the Horeca world, those relating to 2022 now irrefutably certify the large and constant growth of the demand both on the national and international market " comments Francesco Cambria, president of the Consorzio Tutela Vini Etna DOC . " Beyond the general trend and the differences present in the individual types of our denomination, an aspect emerges which is probably the one that fills us with pride most of all and gives us great confidence for the future: credibility. Our wines have succeeded to conquer a position of great prestige within the local and national markets and also in the main export countries thanks to shrewd choices by the entire production base, which aim to preserve the quality and typicality of our terroir".

Going into detail on the individual types, Etna Rosso , which represents just over 50% of the total bottled, grows by 28.36%, equal to 23,365.31 hectoliters. Equally sustained growth also for the second most bottled type, Etna Bianco , with 28.08%, equal to 14,366.09 hectoliters. Standing out, even if on smaller overall numbers, are the excellent performances of two types that are increasingly in demand and appreciated by consumers, namely Etna Bianco Superiore , whose grapes must come exclusively from the Municipality of Milo on the eastern side of the volcano, which it grew by 67.19% with 746.48 bottled hectoliters, and Etna Rosato rose by 45.53% with 3,880.61 bottled hectoliters. The Etna Spumante , 5.85% with 792.65 hectoliters bottled, is stable but always growing. The only data with a minus sign relate to Etna Rosso Riserva , -26.30% with 146.87 bottled hectoliters, and Etna Spumante Rosato, -19.73% with 353.08 bottled hectoliters, which derive more from single choices production that does not give lower demands from the market.

" The data is evident and certifies a growth that we can certainly define as a record - adds Maurizio Lunetta, director of the Consortium - In the last 10 years the surface of the Etna Doc vineyards and the production of bottles has almost doubled. It can be said that the growth has linked both to the strengthening of the markets in which we are already present and to the strong push given by wine tourism, which sees Etna among the most sought-after destinations by wine lovers from all over the world.

The numbers give us great energy and confidence and confirm the need to manage the growth of the denomination with prudence and responsibility".