Pietro Caciorgna

Affable and self-effacing, Paolo Caciorgna has built a super reputation for his reds, made from Etna’s indigenous Nerello Mascalese. Nerello is across of sorts between Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo, which is very exciting on paper and even more-so in the glass. It thrives on Etna, where the terroir is characterised by complex, volcanic soils and the climate is moderated, higher up the mountain, by a strong sea breeze. There is a wealth of old vines here, including pre-phylloxera parcels that go into Paolo’s top cuvée, N’Anticchia – a wine that needs numerous years in bottle to show its spectacular best. The intensely perfumed Guardoilvento hails from a notably windy site at some 750 metres’ altitude, while Ciauria is fresh and juicy, and a great introduction to the delights of Etna. A new addition to portfolio is Guardoilvento bianco – an intensely mineral, saline Catarratto which, frankly, we can’t get enough of.