2017 I Custodi Etna Rosso - Aetneus

Mario Paoluzi created I Custodi in 2007, after befriending Mount Etna guru Salvo Foti, who took him to a vineyard that was for sale. I Custodi is a member of Foti’s I Vigneri (the vineyard workers) consorzio, which provides a team of vineyard workers who are expert at tending Etna’s old bush-trained vines in volcanic soils and other technical assistance, as well as the group’s bottle with the embossed alberello vine and “I Vigneri 1435” – the year the original I Vigneri winegrowers’ guild was formed in Catania. (Somewhat confusingly, Salvo Foti also calls the wines he makes under his own label “I Vigneri”.) I Custodi practices organic farming in Etna’s sandy, volcanic, mineral-rich soils. Fermentations are indigenous.

Aetneus is 80% nerello mascalese and 20% nerello cappuccio from old vines (up to 100 years) at 700 meters in Contrada Moganazzi. Fermentation is for 12 days in stainless steel, followed by two years in 500-liter used tonneaux and then at least two years in bottle. 13.5% alc. Aetneus (et-NAY-oos) is a form of the Latin name for Mount Etna. This is serious, aged, old-vine Etna Rosso. Drink it with grilled tuna or meat.