There are many wine regions that compare themselves with Burgundy but few have a better argument than Etna DOC. Actually, the more precise comparison would be to the Côte-d'Or. Both are very similar in size and slope from hillsides, but while the Côte-d'Or slopes from hills in the west, the Etna vineyards are wrapped around the base of Mt Etna. And both make elegant, aromatic wines.
Etna and Burgundy Comparison
There are many wine regions that compare themselves with Burgundy but few have a better argument than Etna DOC. Actually, the more precise comparison would be to the Côte-d'Or. Both are very similar in size and slope from hillsides, but while the Côte-d'Or slopes from hills in the west, the Etna vineyards are wrapped around the base of Mt Etna. And both make elegant, aromatic wines.
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Fascinating thesis. While Burgundy with many other AOC in France have some evolved mapping of their territories, in Italy we are not so advanced. Etna wine region, thanks to recent agronomic research and new rules in their disciplinary, has now the know-how to map a very complex territory divided in 56 “contrade” (plural of “contrada”, means land district). These “contrade” were established during the long history (since ancient Greeks, Romans and Arabs domination) and by local culture definitions. They are 56 potentially different “crus”, mainly due to the effects of countless lava flows erupted from the volcano, and north to east and south expositions, with vineyards at altitudes between 600 and 1,000 meters high. So, you definitely need maps to define this great wine region.
It’s a great thesis, Steve, but what I found particularly interesting about visiting the Etna vineyards was how dramatically different the vineyard conditions (both steepness and weather conditions) were between vineyards on the north- and south-facing slopes of Mt Etna. I guess in the Côte d’Or there is even greater soil variation, but not so much variation between weather conditions and aspect.
I did not expect the intense spice and white pepper on the palate, and it was a gorgeous match with the beef.
Aston
Lovell
Interesting thesis. However I see an important difference: the solar radiation (both in intensity and solar angle). And another one is soil composition. But I agree when you say that both zones produce good wine!