AWARDS
Wine Enthusiast 94
Wine Advocate Robert Parker 93
James Suckling 92
WinesCritic.com 92
Falstaff 92
Wine Spectator 90
Jancis Robinson 17+

Carricante is an ancient white wine grape variety from eastern Sicily. It is thought to have been growing on the volcanic slopes of Etna for at least a thousand years. The variety is known for its marked acidity and the high yields which gave rise to its name (carica means "load" in Italian).

Grapes are selected from vineyards located on the Eastern and Southern slopes of Mount Etna, which are particularly suited in terms of high elevation and abundant luminosity.

The grapes are harvested by hand around mid-October, de-stemmed, and soft-pressed. Fermentation lasts 12 days and takes place in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature of 18°C, with the aid of Benanti’s own indigenous yeast, which was selected from local vineyards through years of research and experimentation in the cellar. The wine then matures in stainless steel on the fine lees for a while and then refines in the bottle for 2-3 months.

Tasting Notes: The wine has a pale yellow color, with bright greenish tints. The nose is intense and delicate with hints of apple. The palate is dry and mineral with pleasant acidity and salinity, persistent and harmonious.

Serving temperature: 10 – 12° C

Food Pairing: This wine pairs well with fish and seafood. Very suitable for by-the-glass consumption.

Benanti is a wine producer located on the slopes of Mount Etna on the Italian island of Sicily. It was established in the late 19th century and has been making wine from indigenous grape varieties in the Etnean terroir since. Today, Benanti has expanded to encompass vineyards in Pachino on the southernmost tip of Sicily and in Pantelleria, just off Sicily`s western coastline.