Frank Cornelissen, Terre Siciliane ‘Susucaru Rosato’ 2022

• producer: Frank Cornelissen
• region: Sicily
• appellation: Terre Siciliane
• country: ITA
• grape variety: malvasia, moscadella, catarratto, nerello mascalese
• production notes: certified organic, vegan, no added sulfites

If you want to be the coolest person at the natty wine party, look no further than Frank Cornelissen. Since 2001, Cornelissen has carved himself out as a leader in Sicily’s natural winemaking scene (and helped to establish Etna as its premier wine region) and he nows maintains a large cult following around the world. He farms 24 hectares on the Northern valley of Mt. Etna, producing both wine and olive oil. His approach is extremely minimal, eschewing even biodynamic farming methods. 

This rosato spends 10 days on its skins and includes both red and white native Sicilian grape varieties. Susucaru Rosato, while a dark rosé, drinks much more akin to a light red in terms of its textural tannins, aromatic nose bursting with red fruit and light smokiness, that is a calling card of the Etna region.