Passopisciaro Contrada G Etna Rosso

Etna, Italy

Andrea Franchetti's Guardiola contrada wine — Nerello Mascalese from 80-year-old vines on the volcano's north face at 700m elevation on black volcanic basalt. One of Etna's most internationally celebrated contrade wines: vibrant red cherry, wild herb, volcanic smoke, iron mineral, and the extraordinary transparency that has made Passopisciaro the reference for Etna's Burgundian ambitions.

Pairing intelligence

• main: Etna's volcanic terroir and Sicilian mountain lamb — the wine's translucent cherry and mineral character bridges the herb-roasted lamb; capers' acidity mirrors the wine's freshness; lemon bridges the citric note in the Nerello
• dessert: The Etna pastoral tradition — Nerello's delicate cherry and herbal character bridges the sheep's milk ricotta's lactic freshness; honey's sweetness mirrors the wine's fruit; thyme bridges the wild herb notes of high-altitude Etna