Latest news with #Cusumano
Forbes
30-03-2025
- Forbes
Why These Wine Grapes Grow Better On The North Face Of A Volcano
The combination of youthful volcanic soils, high altitudes and cooling winds has produced a wine that is both rooted in its place and able to adapt. While the future remains uncertain, winemakers are committed to maintaining the qualities that make nerello mascalese wine grapes a unique expression of Etna's complex landscape. Universal Images Group via Getty Images The rugged, mineral-rich slopes of Mount Etna's north face in Sicily provide an increasingly rare environment for cultivating nerello mascalese, a native grape prized for its complexity and structure. Here, at high altitudes on an active volcano, conditions seem paradoxically ideal. Volcanic soil and cooling winds allow the grape to ripen gradually, developing a flavor profile unique to this dramatic landscape. Yet as climate change brings higher temperatures and erratic weather, the distinctive conditions that shape these grapes are under pressure. On Etna's north face, young volcanic soil constantly rejuvenates itself, creating an unusual ecosystem. 'The peculiarity of Etna's volcanic soil is that it's young and in continuous evolution,' explains Diego Cusumano, co-owner of Cusumano Winery and Alta Mora Wines, two Sicilian wineries known for producing nerello mascalese, via email. 'The lava and ash create a system in constant 'fermentation,' where energy remains at elevated levels, carbon dioxide is drawn from the atmosphere and life is constantly being generated.' These active soils contain high levels of minerals like potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium—nutrients that help the vines resist environmental stressors and enable them to produce robust, flavorful grapes . Altitude is another factor that plays a crucial role. The high elevation on Etna's north face offers cooler temperatures than other parts of Sicily, even in warmer months. This altitude slows the grape-ripening process, which results in wines with balanced acidity and refined flavors. 'The average minimum temperatures in September and October, around 14°C, create ideal conditions to slow grape ripening, enhancing the secondary metabolism of aromas and compounds that add depth of flavor and complexity,' Cusumano says, via email. 'These temperatures help preserve the natural freshness of the musts and wines.' In addition to altitude, the combination of volcanic soil and rainfall patterns creates conditions unlike those in other Sicilian wine regions or even other volcanic zones like Vulture and Taurasi. Cusumano describes Etna's climate as 'a combination of the right amount of rainfall for optimal vine growth, ripening and cool temperatures.' This delicate balance allows the vines to thrive in a way they might not in warmer, less elevated areas. These conditions are critical for maintaining the unique character of nerello mascalese as environmental changes impact winemaking globally . Climate change, however, is introducing complications. Higher average temperatures and unpredictable rainfall patterns are altering the growing season. The north face's cooler microclimate offers some resistance, but winemakers must adapt their practices to maintain quality. 'The challenge is harnessing the earth's energy to channel it into the grapes and ultimately the wine,' Cusumano says, emphasizing that managing the vigor of the vines has become increasingly complex. Short, rigorous pruning helps control the vines' exuberant growth, while careful selection of plots where water can reach the vines at just the right moment is essential. 'The vine must be able to adapt in order to go from a cold winter climate to summer heat, then return to cooler conditions again at the end of ripening,' he adds. Volcanic soils and the challenging topography on Etna's slopes add another layer of difficulty. Terraces shaped by ancient lava flows limit vineyard space, and manual labor remains the only option in many areas. Most vineyard operations are done by hand, as mechanical cultivation is often impractical on the steep terrain. 'Perhaps the greatest challenge, however, is that most of our operations are done by hand, because there are only small plots and terraces shaped by the lava and on which the vineyards are planted,' Cusumano explains. Wind patterns also influence the growing process. Consistent winds, coupled with lower nighttime temperatures, preserve the acidity of the grapes and allow for the development of complex tannins, which contribute to the wine's structure and softness. According to Cusumano, these temperatures 'encourage the polymerization of tannins, resulting in soft, densely structured tannins that give density on the palate.' The combination of climate, altitude and soil results in wines that are recognized for their depth and subtle elegance, setting them apart from other wines in Sicily and even from other volcanic wine-growing regions. As winemakers on Etna confront environmental changes, there is also a growing awareness of the north face's unique advantages. The reputation of nerello mascalese has grown considerably, with a global market now eager for the distinct wines from Etna's north face. With the wine industry facing unprecedented challenges from climate change, Etna's north face may become even more critical for producing grapes that can withstand these shifts. Cusumano believes this region's terroir will continue to evolve in tandem with the climate. 'Nerello mascalese grown on the northern side of Mount Etna is in a state of continuous evolution and improvement due to the dynamic development of its soils, a climate highly favorable to quality and a remarkable resistance to climate variations,' he says.
CBS News
21-03-2025
- General
- CBS News
Michigan man wins $1 million in March 1 Powerball drawing
A Southwest Michigan man is the winner of a $1 million Powerball prize, the Michigan Lottery reported Friday. Robert Cusumano, 65, of Cass County, matched five white balls in the March 1 drawing: 02-23-36-44-49. He bought his winning ticket at Big T, located at 155 Main Street in Lawton, and that's the detail that tipped him off to the potential win. Lawton is about 20 miles southwest of Kalamazoo. "I woke up the morning after the drawing, and checked the alerts on my phone," Cusumano told Michigan Lottery officials. "Right there on the screen, was an alert that a $1 million Powerball prize had been won on a ticket bought at Big T. As soon as I saw that, I jumped out of bed and went hunting for my ticket. I looked it over slowly and there were all five numbers right in front of me. It was incredible!" "Waking up to a $1 million prize would be a dream come true, and a life changing moment," said Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli. "Congratulations to Robert and his family!" Cusumano said he plays the lottery games "pretty regularly." "This is the most I have ever won, and I am going to use it to invest in my future," he added. Powerball tickets can be purchased for $2 at Lottery retailers across the state and online at Prize levels depend on how many numbers are matched on the ticket for the day's drawing. A "Power Play" option that multiplies non-jackpot prizes by up to 10 times to a maximum of $2 million may be added to any Powerball play for only $1. For an additional $1 per play, Double Play may be added to a Powerball ticket, giving players a second chance to win up to $10 million in the nightly Double Play drawing. Powerball drawings take place at to 10:59 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Cass County man wins $1 million Powerball prize
An alert on his phone made a Cass County man jump out of bed in the morning to check a Powerball ticket he had purchased a few days prior. The alert notified Robert Cusumano that a $1 million Powerball prize had been won by a ticket sold at the Big T restaurant located at 155 Main St. in Lawton, where he had purchased a ticket for the March 1 drawing, according to the Michigan Lottery. Lawton is about 20 miles southwest of Kalamazoo. Cusumano, 65, checked his ticket and saw that it matched the five white balls drawn March 1 — 2, 23, 36, 44 and 49. More: Kent County woman wins $1 million on Michigan Lottery instant ticket "I looked it over slowly and there were all five numbers right in front of me. It was incredible!' Cusumano told the Michigan Lottery. 'I play pretty regularly and buy tickets wherever I happen to be,' Cusumano said. 'This is the most I have ever won, and I am going to use it to invest in my future.' This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Cass County man wins $1 million Powerball prize
