Benanti, Etna Bianco Superiore (Sicily, Italy) 2019

 At the end of the 1800s, Giuseppe Benanti, the grandfather of Dr. Giuseppe Benanti, began producing wine on one of his father’s old farms on the slopes of Mount Etna in Viagrande.  Nearly a century later, in 1988, Giuseppe Benanti revitalized the winery when only four wineries were in the Mount Etna area.  Today, there are 154.  Since 2012, the winery has been managed by Giuseppe’s twin sons, who are dedicated to producing wines exclusively from native grapes: Carricante, Cataratto, Nerello Mascalese, and Nerello Cappuccio.  In the glass, the 2019 Peitra Marina is a deep straw gold with aromas and flavors of white peach, apricot, lemon zest, and sea salt.  It is fresh yet rich, with vibrant acidity and a long mineral persistence.