Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
The Carricante comes from the Sciaranuova and Rampante vineyards at Castiglione di Sicilia, in the province of Catania. The vines grow at 850 m above sea level on well-exposed terrain composed of black volcanic sands. The mineral-rich ground contains abundant large structural elements and lies amid woodland and more recent lava flows.
The vineyards are planted at 5,050 vines per hectare and trained on espalier systems, using both spurred-cordon and Guyot pruning. Yield is 88 quintals per hectare. Cultivation follows organic-agriculture standards and SOStain® protocols. Wild-plant ground cover builds organic matter and supports soil microfauna; vine health is managed with minimal sulphur and copper, beneficial insects, mating disruption, zeolite, kaolin and plant extracts. The wine is certified organic and SOStain®.
Grapes
100% Carricante, picked earlier than usual to retain the acidity needed for Metodo Classico production.
Vinification
The 2023 harvest took place on 14–15 September. Grapes were collected early into crates, destemmed and gently pressed. After settling, the must was racked and fermented in stainless-steel tanks at 13°C. The resulting base wine remained on fine lees until January with continuous stirring. It was prepared for tirage and bottling at the end of March.
Ageing
After tirage, the wine remained on its lees for an average of 20 months at approximately 12°C before disgorgement.
Technical data
Sicilia D.O.C. Alcohol is 12.5% vol.; total acidity is 7.15 g/L, pH 3.05 and residual sugar 4.8 g/L. Available formats are 750 ml and 1.5 L. The 750 ml bottle weighs 835 g and uses natural cork. Cellaring potential is 5–10 years.
Tasting profile
Fine volcanic sands and the freshness of early-picked Carricante shape floral, restrained aromas and mineral citrus fruit. The effervescence is refined and persistent. The palate is soft, with delicate citrus and passion-fruit flavours, followed by a rich finish marked by Mediterranean scrub.
Serving and pairing
Its fresh acidity makes it suitable at either the beginning or the end of an evening and allows it to accompany demanding combinations such as fried foods and richly oily dishes.
Vintage notes
The 2023 growing season on Etna produced decidedly below-average quantities. The crop was already small after flowering, possibly because rain in May and June affected flowering and fruit set in the high-altitude vineyards. Bunch numbers were lower than usual, but the grapes remained very healthy. July heat did not disrupt the delicate stages of ripening, which proceeded evenly. A long summer followed by a dry autumn produced intense, substantial grapes.
Label / history
First produced in 2010, Brut Metodo Classico was conceived as a traditional-method sparkling expression of indigenous Carricante grown on Etna's black volcanic soils.
