The regulations for Etna Bianco require at least 60 percent Carricante in the blend. Firriato opts to blend another autochthonous grape, Catarratto, with Carricante for this Etna Bianco. The result is a fruitier, somewhat richer, Etna Bianco with less of the cutting saline-minerality for which Carricante is known. It’s a softer, gentler style of Etna Bianco that will appeal to those who are put off by the edginess of an Etna Bianco made entirely from Carricante.
Firriato, Etna Bianco DOC (Sicily, Italy) 2019
By Michael Apstein