Alcohol: 13%
Grape(s): Nerello Mascalese, Malvasia, Moscadella, Insolia
Localization: Sicily, Italy
Tasting Notes: Delicious rosé / light red from Mount Etna on Sicily. As Frank himself puts is "Our rosé is produced with the same phylosophy and vinification techniques as all our other wines: skin contact for texture and territorial identity, malolactic fermentation fully finished for density, fluidity and stability. Not only a refreshing summer wine from a blend of Malvasia, Moscadella, Insolia and Nerello Mascalese, as this is a “rosé” which can also be regarded as a light red, like a “Jura” wine, pairing well with a wide variety of dishes."
Food pairing: Roasted Pork, Cold meat, Roasted Chicken, Roasted red meats
The Domain: Before a wine can be good, it must be true!”. This is the motto of Frank Cornelissen, a Belgian oenologist who has recently become an icon of Sicily and an eminent figure in volcanic origin natural wines. An experimental genius who has been making unique and expressive wines at the foot of the Etna volcano (Sicily) since 2001. His rosé wine, Frank Cornelissen Susucaru Rosso, is an example of this.
Made from the three native varieties Nerello Mascalese, Minella and Alicante Bouschet, the Frank Cornelissen Susucaru Rosso grapes come from 50 year old vines planted on the northern slopes of the Etna volcano. The vines are cultivated using organic agriculture with biodynamic treatments and following the lunar cycles in each of the processes. Once the grapes have been harvested by hand, they are taken to the winery where they undergo spontaneous fermentation in fibreglass tanks with skin-contact maceration for 60 days. This is the same place it undergoes malolactic fermentation, staying there for a few months. Finally it is bottled with very low amounts of sulphite.
This is how Frank Cornelissen, following ancient winemaking methods, succeeds in showcasing the truth and nothing but the truth. Frank Cornelissen Susucaru Rosso is undoubtedly a great example of this. Freshness, minerality and refinement in equal parts.
