2018 was a year of sacrifice and difficult choices on the Etna, but one that has produced great results at Terre Nere. Fine terroir allied to sheer human drive and passion have together yielded wines that are fragrant, elegant and beautifully poised. They exhibit transparent, distinctive single Cru characteristics whilst offering immense drinkability. The wines show vivid colours, due to low pH levels, and in general boast lower alcohol and higher acidity levels compared to the averages of the last few years.
The season provided a challenging environment to ripen grapes; maturation was heterogenous. Extreme, costly selections were required and, in the end, are what made all of the difference in 2018. Several “passages” were required through the various “Contradas” and even, in some cases, individual vineyard plots, to ensure that only clean, ripe fruit was brought into the cellars.
Read MoreAfter a dry, mild winter, Spring was rainy until the end of April/ beginning of May, when a drought took hold for a month – lasting until early June. Mid-month rain eased early signs of hydric stress and cooled temperatures down. A more classic summer resumed in July with temperatures rising to a seasonal average of 35 degrees. The rollercoaster began in August with heavy rainfall throughout the month only to transform into clear, dry and unusually hot days in early September. Temperatures, sunshine and rainfall reverted to more seasonal norms from the middle of the month onwards. Then in October disaster struck for vignerons on Etna’s south west side - a devastating hail storm wiped crops out. Fortunately for Terre Nere they are on the north side so escaped any damage, but they weren’t spared the heavy rainfall that came with the storm. After exhausting work bringing in a reduced but high quality crop, the ride had finally come to an end with calm and relief. Old vines, great terroir and sheer graft and determination had conspired to produce a beautiful Etna vintage.