Etna Bianco 2025
DOC Etna, Tornatore, 750 ml
Etna's Signature
- Carricante from Mount Etna: the most important white grape variety for Etna Bianco.
- Crisp acidity, salty minerality and aromas of grapefruit and white peach.
- Perfect with fish and seafood, ceviche, pasta or caponata.
Description
Carricante is regarded as the quintessential white grape variety of Mount Etna and expresses its volcanic origins with particular precision. The variety owes its name to the Italian word ‘caricare’ – to load – and to its historically high yield potential. For wines such as this one, however, yields are deliberately reduced to enhance concentration and expression. On the nose, green apple, grapefruit, white peach and delicate floral notes combine to form a multi-layered bouquet. On the palate, it is lively, with crisp acidity, intense fruit and a salty minerality typical of white wines from Mount Etna. With its freshness and aromatic character, it is a particular delight with anything from the sea, whether as ceviche, grilled or paired with pasta. It also pairs superbly with fried vegetables and classic caponata.
Attributes
| Grape variety: | Carricante |
| Producer: | Tornatore |
| Origin: | Italy / Sicilia / Etna |
| Label: | Vegan |
| Ripening potential: | 7 years |
| Drinking temperature: | 10 to 11 °C |
| Food Pairing: | Italian antipasti, Calamari alla romana, Grilled fish, Giant crevettes, grilled langoustines |
| Vinification: | fully destemmed, pressed carefully and immediately, fermentation in steel tank, fining |
| Harvest: | selecting the grapes (by hand), hand-picking, in small boxes, strict selection |
| Maturation: | in steel tank, partly in concrete tank, partly in wooden barrel/foudre, short cultivation |
| Bottling: | filtration |
| Maturation duration: | 6 months |
| Volume: | 12.5 % |
| Note: | Contains sulphites |
Tornatore
Some of Sicily’s most exciting wines are produced on the northern slopes of Mount Etna. Nestled amongst lava flows and high-altitude vineyards, the Tornatore family has been shaping the region’s wine-growing tradition for generations. Their wines combine Sicilian warmth with freshness, precision and the volcano’s characteristic minerality.
The Tornatore name has been firmly established on Mount Etna since 1865. What began as a few vines on the fertile volcanic slopes has, over the generations, developed into one of the region’s most influential wineries. A key milestone was set by grandfather Giuseppe, who built a traditional palmento – a historic wine press – in 1910, thereby laying the foundations for the further development of the family business. Today, Francesco Tornatore carries on this legacy, combining traditional knowledge with a modern approach to quality.
Tornatore is one of the leading producers of Etna DOC wines and cultivates around 100 hectares of land. The focus is on the traditional and indigenous grape varieties Carricante, Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio, which authentically reflect their origins. Modern winemaking techniques combined with a deep respect for nature result in wines with an unmistakable character. As one of Italy’s most renowned estates, Tornatore’s wines are regularly honoured by leading wine critics, including multiple awards of the coveted «Tre Bicchieri» (3 glasses) from Gambero Rosso.
Sicilia
Sicily: more than a wine island
The largest island in the Mediterranean has a greater variety and history of wine to offer than many wine-growing countries. The focus of this interest rests on the full, fruity, yet well-structured wines from the long-neglected red Nero d'Avola variety, and on the wholesome Catarratto white wines. In addition, two legendary wines are experiencing a well-deserved renaissance: the liqueur wines from Marsala and the growths from Mount Etna, with their impressive crispness and complexity.
Italy
Italy – Where wine is a way of life
The Italian wine regions are extremely diverse, and this is made clear in their wines. Established varieties such as Merlot, Syrah, and Sauvignon can be found on just 15 percent of the total vine growing area. The remaining 85 percent is reserved for autochthonous, indigenous varieties. More than 2,000 different grape varieties are grown under diverse conditions and pressed with various techniques into wines that reach the top tier of the international wine market.