Planeta Etna Bianco - Contrada Taccione 2023

Contrada Taccione lies on the northern slope of Mount Etna, in the commune of Castiglione di Sicilia, at the heart of the Etna DOC production area in Sicily. The vines are planted at altitude, in a landscape of volcanic terraces dominated by the Etna massif. The soils, formed from lava flows and mineral-rich black sands, give Carricante a taut, saline expression. The mountain climate, with wide temperature swings, encourages slow ripening and preserves the natural freshness of the grapes.

The grapes are harvested by hand, then destemmed and gently pressed. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. The wine is then aged on fine lees in stainless-steel tanks for several months, to preserve the purity of the fruit and the mineral tension of Carricante.

This wine reveals notes of lemon, grapefruit and white peach, alongside hints of white flowers, fennel and Mediterranean herbs. Its volcanic origin also shows through a touch of gunflint and a lingering saline sensation. The palate is sleek and precise, with a delicately broad texture balanced by lively acidity. The long, mineral finish extends the citrus accents and the freshness of the volcanic terroir.

Ah, Italy, what a beautiful hedonistic country, home of the Dolce Vita, but how hard it is to understand how its wine is organised! The key to understanding Italy's appellation system is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single uniform one, since each region has its own appellation system. Yet Italy can offer wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavours and styles, as well as bottles full of surprise and creativity. Unfortunately it also produces a large quantity of soulless, characterless wines sold under their most useful and commercially renowned names: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco and many others... But let us talk a little history: winegrowing in Italy goes back to the most distant antiquity and originated in Greece. The Etruscans are said to have introduced the vine, and Greek immigrants improved and changed the grape varieties, later calling the country "Oenotria": the land of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life, and some regions already stood out for the excellence of their produce. The Romans also planted many vineyards across Europe, leaving an indelible mark of their conquests. Today Italy is the largest wine producer in the world, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic zones. The northern mountains have a fairly harsh mountain climate. The plain in the "middle of the boot" has a continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. The "south of the boot" enjoys a Mediterranean climate with very hot, very dry summers, not forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In short, Italy produces a great variety of wines thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of them native to its land. It is a country just as complex as its wines, and well worth exploring!