Ciao Tutti!
I hope everyone had a very happy holiday season and Happy New Year!
For our first wine tasting in 2026, our selection is the Vino Rosso Gaio Gaio 2022 ($21.50, 15.5% ABV) from the Calabretta Azienda Vinicola in Randazzo, Catania, Sicily. The vineyard lies in the shadow of Mt. Etna, the largest and most active volcano in Italy. In Greek mythology, Mt. Etna’s towering shape was formed when the Storm Giant Typhon challenged Zeus for control of the heavens. Zeus defeated and imprisoned him under Mt. Etna and the subsequent eruptions were expressions of Typhon’s rage.
Calabretta was founded by Gaetano Calabretta in the early 1900’s. His great-grandson is the current manager, Massimiliano, who continues his family’s motto to capture “the pleasure of Etna in their glass.” Mt. Etna is blessed with a terroir that is ideal for viniculture: high elevation; black, volcanic soil; blazing sunlight; and the range of diurnal temperature. The name “Gaio Gaio” is a tribute to Massimiliano’s father‘s nickname meaning “joy”.
The winery’s cellar is on multiple levels, including one that was dug into the volcanic rock that maintains the perfect humidity and temperature for the wines that are aged in large Slavonian oak barrels. Calabretta is located on the north side of Mt. Etna, where they grow three red and two white grapes. Their vineyards evolved organically, resulting in vines that are intermingled with both olive trees and fruit orchards.
Gaio Gaio is a medium bodied red wine blended from the Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio grapes that results in flavors of ripe strawberry, sour red cherry, aromatic herbs, earthy minerality and spicy undertones. It can also be served lightly chilled. Come join me Friday from noon to 5:45 or Saturday from noon to 4:45 to taste this wine we are considering for our collection.
Cin Cin!
Jenn
Piazza Italian Market is an authentic italian market located in Talbot Town Shopping Center in historic downtown Easton.
Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.
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