Love Pinot Noir but ready to try something different? This week, we head to Sicily with the 2024 Ayunta Nerello Mascalese Rosso, a $33 red that brings bright cherry, earthy spice, and some familiar Pinot vibes with an Italian twist.
We explore what makes this grape worth a look for fans of lighter reds, how the wine changes in the glass, and whether it earns its price tag. Plus, what does growing wine on the slopes of Mount Etna actually change? We dig into volcanic soil, test our knowledge with Grape Guesses, and finish with our verdicts.
Wine: 2024 Ayunta Nerello Mascalese Rosso
Region: Sicily, Italy
Grape: 100% Nerello Mascalese
ABV: 13%
Price: About $33
Thank you to Ushwin at Unpinned for providing this week’s bottle.
You can see everything the Unpinned Bottle shop has to offer at the website: https://unpinnedwineclub.com/collections/bottle-shop
You can scoop up a bottle for you self on the Unpinned wine shop. https://unpinnedwineclub.com/products/ayunta-terre-siciliane-nerello-mascalese-bianco-2023
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Questions, bottle suggestions, or guest inquiries? Email [cheers@stopwastingyourwine.com](mailto:cheers@stopwastingyourwine.com).
Chapters:
00:00 A Red Wine from Mount Etna
00:20 Meet Ayunta: Is It Worth $33?
02:26 The Grape, Vintage, and Bottle Details
03:54 First Sips: “Freaking Italian”
05:36 Cherry, Spice, and Pinot Noir Vibes
08:01 A Little Chill and a Finish That Keeps Going
10:27 Does Volcanic Soil Change the Wine?
12:00 Grape Guesses: How Rare Are Volcanic Wines?
14:19 What Soil Actually Does to the Vine
18:58 Grape Guesses: The Etna Blend Question
21:25 Final Reviews: Must Share Material?
26:27 Joel’s Wine Fridge Shakeup
