Region: Sicily / Sicilia
Quality Level in EU/Italian Wine Law: Etna Bianoco DOC of Sicily, Terre Siciliane IGT
Primary Grape Varieties: Carricante
Food Pairings: Seafood, vegetable pasta
Carricante is the primary grape in Etna Bianco wines. The Etna Bianco DOC requires 60% of a blend to be carricante but the best producers will use 100% of the grape. It is cultivated at 1000 m and above on Mount Etna, at elevations where black varieties are not likely to ripen. Carricante is late ripening and benefits from a long season.
The grape is subject to fungal diseases but the lighter and less humid air at elevation reduces the disease pressure. Elevation also brings a high temperature drop at night which slows ripening and helps the grapes retain their acidity.
The white wines of Etna are produced at lower levels as compared to red wines and are generally made for early consumption. Full malolactic conversion is common to reduce the overall acidity and the resulting wines are medium in intensity and alcohol with still high acid overall. Flavors of green apple and lemon dominate.
Quality Level in EU/Italian Wine Law: Etna Bianoco DOC of Sicily, Terre Siciliane IGT
Primary Grape Varieties: Carricante
Food Pairings: Seafood, vegetable pasta
Carricante is the primary grape in Etna Bianco wines. The Etna Bianco DOC requires 60% of a blend to be carricante but the best producers will use 100% of the grape. It is cultivated at 1000 m and above on Mount Etna, at elevations where black varieties are not likely to ripen. Carricante is late ripening and benefits from a long season.
The grape is subject to fungal diseases but the lighter and less humid air at elevation reduces the disease pressure. Elevation also brings a high temperature drop at night which slows ripening and helps the grapes retain their acidity.
The white wines of Etna are produced at lower levels as compared to red wines and are generally made for early consumption. Full malolactic conversion is common to reduce the overall acidity and the resulting wines are medium in intensity and alcohol with still high acid overall. Flavors of green apple and lemon dominate.
Producer/Theme websites: