2023 Frank Cornelissen Susucaru Terre Siciliane Rosso

Preposterously delicious wine for any occasion. This chillable red pops with delicious almost sweet cherries and strawberries, Campari, yet with a smoky dryness. A killer pair for the fat and salt of pepperoni pizza. These wines from Sicily’s Mount Etna weren’t on anybody’s radar until Action Bronson (New York chef-turned-rapper who’s with a foodie show on Viceland called “F*ck That’s Delicious”) came along and waxed poetic after discovering the rosato at a restaurant in Sydney: “I been waiting for this Susucaru all my life. I love this one.” 

Frank Cornelissen is the son of a Belgian winebroker. Meticulous with a striving dedication to quality, he subscribes to the concept of wabi-sabi, a flow to which there is perfection and imperfection in a river together. He’s the man on the mountain searching for the “whole of life.”

Primarily Nerello Mascalese with dashes of Nerello Capuccio, Minella Nera, Alicante Bouschet, and Minella Bianco from 50-year-old vines. Organic, hand harvested, with native yeast ferment.

Cornelissen chose the volcanic vines high up on Mt. Etna, Sicily, for the incredible diversity of soils, which make wines of great complexity and distinction. Serve cellar temp or cooler! Pair with pinchos Moruños.