If there is a wine region on the planet that is ‘hotter’ than Etna, I’d love to know what it is. To say that there is major interest in the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna would be an understatement. Angelo Gaja is the latest Italian vigneron of note to join the party.
What is the draw of Mount Etna? It seems to be a combination of its rich history, elevation, volcanic soils and endemic grape varieties – Carricante and Catarratto for white and Nerello (Macasalese and Cappuccio) for red.
Somewhat counter-intuitively, the wines of Etna are not bold and rich, but edgy and elegant. Etna Rosso is often likened to red Burgundy. On the evidence of this Etna Bianco from Terra Costantino, Etna Bianco is a ready-made alternative for Chablis.
There is real weight and depth to this wine, cut by a line of edgy acidity. Citrus fruit is to the fore of grapefruit pith and lemon zest. A saline twang on the finish lends further interest. This is a wine that is made for simply prepared seafood dishes – vongole tossed through linguine would be perfect!
2015 TERRA COSTANTINO ETNA BIANCO
Producer: Terra Costantino
Variety: Carricante, Catarratto
Region: Sicily, Italy
ABV: 13.0%
Closure: Natural cork
Retail Price: $50.00
Date tasted: 18 March 2018
Tasting Note:
Bright lemon yellow. Attractive nose of lemon citrus, grapefruit pith and bath salts. Dry, medium bodied, good palate weight. Nice ‘cut and drive’. Citrus pith. Slightly saline. Good drive and intensity. Excellent wine for seafood.
Score: 17/20
What is the draw of Mount Etna? It seems to be a combination of its rich history, elevation, volcanic soils and endemic grape varieties – Carricante and Catarratto for white and Nerello (Macasalese and Cappuccio) for red.
Somewhat counter-intuitively, the wines of Etna are not bold and rich, but edgy and elegant. Etna Rosso is often likened to red Burgundy. On the evidence of this Etna Bianco from Terra Costantino, Etna Bianco is a ready-made alternative for Chablis.
There is real weight and depth to this wine, cut by a line of edgy acidity. Citrus fruit is to the fore of grapefruit pith and lemon zest. A saline twang on the finish lends further interest. This is a wine that is made for simply prepared seafood dishes – vongole tossed through linguine would be perfect!
2015 TERRA COSTANTINO ETNA BIANCOProducer: Terra Costantino
Variety: Carricante, Catarratto
Region: Sicily, Italy
ABV: 13.0%
Closure: Natural cork
Retail Price: $50.00
Date tasted: 18 March 2018
Tasting Note:
Bright lemon yellow. Attractive nose of lemon citrus, grapefruit pith and bath salts. Dry, medium bodied, good palate weight. Nice ‘cut and drive’. Citrus pith. Slightly saline. Good drive and intensity. Excellent wine for seafood.
Score: 17/20
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