After the high hills of the Monreale area, a few kilometers from Palermo and the bright area a stone's throw from the sea, between Noto and Pachino, where the two historic Baglio di Pianetto estates are located, another challenging project is underway for the company of the Marzotto family.
The new project that sees the Sicilian company confronting itself with another interesting terroir of the island is called "Fermata 125", the one located at the foot of the highest active volcano in Europe: Etna. " Etna represents one of the most fascinating and unique terroir of wine, representative not only for Sicily, but increasingly known for Italy in the world " says Francesco Tiralongo, CEO of the company . " Expanding our assortment with two new wines in purity that interpreted Carricante and Nerello Mascalese, the two main indigenous grapes grown on the volcano, according to our style, was a desire we have had for some time and which we have now managed to achieve ".
The new line is a tribute to the historic Circumetnea railway , which came into operation at the end of the nineteenth century, which with its route connects Catania with Riposto, completing the circumnavigation of Etna. The stop 125 of Passopisciaro, in front of which stands the winery with which Baglio di Pianetto started this project, gave its name to Etna Bianco DOC and Etna Rosso DOC signed Baglio di Pianetto. " The municipality of Castiglione di Sicilia and in particular the hamlet of Passopisciaro, represent one of the most historic Etna territories, particularly suited to viticulture - continues Francesco Tiralongo -. Here we found the partner we were looking for, with whom we share our approach first and foremost. sustainable in the countryside. We immediately found each other in great harmony: the vineyards and the cellar will be managed in close collaboration with our company team, who will be present and supervise all the production phases ".
An operation launched months ago which today sees its first fruits with the two labels just launched. " The northern side of the volcano has an ideal climate, protected from the presence of the Peloritani and Nebrodi mountain ranges and is characterized by large temperature changes between night and day. It is the home of the Nerello Mascalese, but also and above all of the Carricante in the light of market demands, which has conquered a prominent place managing to convince for the great quality. Being able to complete our range with two Etna DOC wines that represent us, in addition to a dream that comes true, will certainly also be a winning move from the point of view. from a commercial point of view "concluded Tiralongo.
Etna Bianco Doc "Fermata 125" 2020 comes from certified organic grapes of Carricante in purity, trained with spurred cordon and guyot, harvested manually at the end of October. After a cold maceration on the skins to favor aromatic extraction and fermentation in steel tanks, the wine rests on its lees for about 4 months. A further 4 months of bottle refinement follows before being marketed. Equipped with a lashing aromaticity that alternates mineral notes and those of lychee, medlar and white pulp fruit, it well represents the emblem of verticality present in the wines of the volcano and in particular of Carricante, the most important native white grape of this territory.
Etna Rosso Doc "Fermata 125" 2019 is obtained from 100% Nerello Mascalese grapes, raised with the traditional sapling system and harvested manually at the end of October. After a maceration of about 10 days in steel tanks in contact with its indigenous yeasts, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in barrique, where it then rests and matures for about 8-9 months. After bottling, it is refined for another year before being marketed. A very pleasant bouquet of small red fruits and Mediterranean scrub with clear nuances of cherry and strawberries well interprets the great elegance and finesse of red wines from the North Etna side. Freshness and ample and silky tannins characterize a sip of excellent persistence.
The two Etna Doc "Fermata 125" wines will be distributed exclusively in the Horeca channel both in Italy and in the main foreign reference markets of Baglio di Pianetto.
