Firriato Le Sabbie del Etna Etna Bianco

Firriato Le Sabbie del Etna Etna Bianco. Carricante and Catarratto by Firriato from Sicily, Italy. A bright, straw yellow white wine with powerful mineral aromas of silex, complemented by scents of mimosa. It is rich in its aromas but also in its full-bodied texture that remains lively in a long finish. This combination of carricante and catarratto comes from the region around Mount Etna which is located in the northeast of the island. Although the wines from this region are primarily red, grapes such as the catarrato also do well on the flanks of this volcano. Slightly higher elevation vineyards on the northern flanks are ideally suited for making quality white wine.

Carricante is an ancient, indigenous white grape variety from Etna in Sicily, where it has been growing for over 1,000 years. The grape is still mainly grown on the slopes of the volcano at an altitude of between 700 and 1,200 metres above sea level. The spicy acids of this late bloomer are typical. Depending on the ripeness of the grape and the élevage sur lees, the wine becomes rounder and more complex. Catarratto, a white grape widely planted in Sicily, which can achieve quality if the yields are kept under control. The name is used for more varieties. In 1990, with around 65,000 hectares, Catarratto was the most planted vine in Italy after Sangiovese.

Catarratto was used for Masala, but now the grape is distilled or concentrated. Catarratto plays a major role in Sicilian DOC wines and when vinified well, it produces refreshing and interesting wines.