First made in 2018, this single vineyard cuvée is crafted from half a hectare of very old, no-grafted vines planted on the northern side of Mount Etna. The vines are nearly one hundred years old and cut into goblets. Nerello Mascalese is mixed with Alicante (the local name for Grenache Noir), Sangiovese, Grecanico Carricante and Coda di Volpe. The small parcel surrounded by low stone walls sits at an altitude of 1,070 metres on very rocky volcanic soil.
Quota N is not the vineyard’s official name, which is actually Germana after the former owner’s surname and, of course, Edouardo Torres could not use that for this wine. But he was inspired by the road which runs alongside the plot, the strado Quota Nave.
Organically grown, the grapes are harvested by hand and partly destemmed before fermentation is started by natural yeasts in concrete vats which lasts for about a fortnight. The wine is aged for nine months in vats and wooden casks before bottling occurs without prior fining or filtration. After being aerated a little, Quota N reveals an intense nose bearing notes of well-ripened raspberries, roses and caramel followed by hints of spices. On the palate, the wine is ample, framed by supple tannins and perfectly balanced by a refreshing acidity.