2018 Elios ‘Glou- Glou’ Rosso

Region: Trapani < Sicily < Italy

Grape: Nerello Mascalese

Winemakers: Nicola Adamo and Guido Grillo

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Biodynamic farming; grapes are macerated for 1 day before going through malolactic fermentation; the wine is then aged in stainless steel for 7 months.

Childhood buddies Nicola and Guido (former computer engineer and winemaker for a big winery, respectively) were fed up with their careers working for the man in Sicily -- and shared a love of natural wine.  Guido says of his time making BIG wine: "They taught us to make wine in a standardized way. For a long time I put in the grape a series of oenological products that had nothing to do with the grapes."

With nothing to lose, they decided to start their own farm on a few plots inherited from the family, cultivating grapes, bees and olive trees, with the intention of actually make the end products to sell. They say, "Practically all the people in our province (Trapani) are great vines cultivators but not winemakers. Nobody wants to risk any cent nowadays to make wine. People prefer to be sure to sell the grapes for nothing to big wineries, thus living in a comfort zones but at the same time complaining cyclically about the price and the low profit farming model."

Glou Glou came about from their desire to drink red wine in the hot Sicilian summer, one with low ABV, negligible tannins and ultimate chill-ability. So they planted Nerello Mascalese in their terroir, which is completely different from the high-altitude, volcanic soils of Etna, ground zero for this grape. Because the Etna reds, when treated lightly, have that light, fresh drinkability they were seeking.

Their experiment worked, resulting in a clean, refreshing red to drink with abandon, with or without food, but always with a chill. We're digging the bright red fruit and tart, sour cherry notes with layers of blood orange and hibiscus. If you're a fan of Frank Cornelisson's cult favorite Susucaro Rosso, you'll love this. They're kissing cousins.

SERVE SLIGHTLY CHILLED.