About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
The Carricante comes from Sciaranuova and Rampante at Castiglione di Sicilia, in the province of Catania. The vineyards stand at 850 m above sea level on well-exposed land formed from black lava sands. These mineral-rich soils contain abundant large structural material, while woodland and more recent lava flows surround the sites.
The vines are planted at 5,050 plants per hectare and trained on espalier systems, using both spurred-cordon and Guyot pruning. Yield is 88 quintals per hectare, equivalent to 8.8 tonnes per hectare.
Viticulture follows organic-farming principles and SOStain® protocols. Wild ground cover builds organic matter and supports soil microfauna. Plant health is maintained with minimal quantities of sulphur and copper; beneficial insects, mating disruption, zeolite, kaolin and plant extracts are used to deter pests. The wine is certified organic and SOStain®.
Grapes
100% Carricante. The variety is harvested earlier than usual for the area so that the fruit retains the acidity required for traditional-method sparkling wine.
Vinification
Harvest took place on 14–15 September. The grapes were picked early into crates to preserve their acidity, then 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 its fine lees until January with continuous stirring. Tirage and bottling preparation followed at the end of March.
Ageing
Following the traditional method, the wine spent an average of 20 months on its lees at approximately 12 °C before disgorgement. Its stated ageing capacity is 5–10 years.
Technical data
- Alcohol: 12.5% vol.
- Total acidity: 7.15 g/L
- pH: 3.05
- Residual sugar: 4.8 g/L
- Formats: 750 ml and 1.5 L
- Bottle weight: 835 g for the 750 ml format
- Closure: natural cork
Tasting profile
Floral aromas remain restrained and are joined by citrus fruit and a pronounced mineral quality. The fine, persistent effervescence carries a soft palate with delicate citrus and passion-fruit flavours. Mediterranean scrub aromas shape the rich finish.
Serving and pairing
The wine can open or conclude an evening. Its fresh acidity is particularly suited to fried food and dishes with marked oiliness.
Vintage notes
The 2023 season on Etna produced substantially less fruit than average. Yields were already limited after flowering, possibly because rain in May and June affected flowering and fruit set—a recurring risk in high-altitude viticulture. The surviving bunches were fewer than usual but notably healthy. July heat did not disrupt the sensitive ripening stages, and maturation remained even. A long summer followed by a dry autumn produced intense, thick-skinned grapes.
Label / history
First produced in 2010, Brut Metodo Classico was conceived as a traditional-method expression of Etna made from an indigenous grape variety and shaped by the volcano’s black soils.