COLOUR
Red
TYPE
Still
VINTAGE
2024
GRAPE
Nerello Mascalese
PRODUCER
Calabretta Azienda Vinicola
REGION
Sicilia
CHARACTERISTICS
Body
Medium - Light
Sweetness
Dry
Acidity
High
Finish
Medium - Long
Intensity
Mid - Pronounced
Tannins
Medium - Low
AROMAS & FLAVOURS
ABOUT THIS WINE
Massimiliano Calabretta represents the fourth generation of a family farming Etna's volcanic terraces since the early 1900s. Uniquely, Massimiliano is also a Professor of Electrical Power Engineering specializing in Nuclear Fusion, bringing an analytical yet hands-off approach to his natural winemaking. While Calabretta is famous for slow-matured, decade-aged Vigne Vecchie, Gaio Gaio was created as its energetic, playful counterpart. The name translates to 'Joy Joy' and is a tribute to Massimiliano's father, whose childhood nickname was 'Gaio'.
ALCOHOL
12.5%
AVG. PRICE
€19
STYLE
Natural
VEGAN
YES
SULPHITES
When to drink
Now or Later
Ideal temperature
12-16°C
INTERESTING FACTS
Fact 01
Winemaker Massimiliano Calabretta is a nuclear fusion engineering professor who applies scientific precision to natural winemaking.
Fact 02
The name Gaio Gaio means 'Joy Joy' and honors the childhood nickname of the winemaker's father, Gaio.
Fact 03
Calabretta is a proud founding member of Triple 'A', Europe's highly demanding natural wine collective.
Fact 04
The vines are young but propagated via massal selection from the estate's ancient 100-year-old ungrafted centenary vines.
FOOD PAIRING
Read more
WINE MAKING PROCESS
For the 2024 vintage, the grapes were hand-harvested from young vines on the northern slopes of Mt. Etna. The fruit was 100% destemmed and gently crushed. Spontaneous fermentation occurred with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks, followed by a short 6-day maceration on the skins to emphasize a fresh, low-tannin profile. The wine was aged for 10 months in large, neutral Slavonian oak casks before being bottled with light filtration and no fining.
