Tenuta Tascante, Etna Bianco DOC (Sicily, Italy) 2017

 I confess.  I have fallen madly in love with Carricante, the white grape that is the star of Etna, Sicily’s active volcano.  While the Etna DOC rules specify at least 60 percent Carricante, this one from the Tasca family is 100 percent.  No wonder I love it.  Aromas and flavors are a heady blend of citrus, grapefruit, orange peel with a saline mineral notes and touch of fresh chamomile aromas.  Light bodied and ethereal in the mouth, the flavors are animated by nervy acidity.  The Tascante estate was created by the Tasca family who have been involved in Sicilian agriculture for 200 years.  Tenuta Regalial, their first estate in central Sicily, was the family home for many years. Today, it is a 1482 acre working farm with vineyards and olive trees, guest rooms, dining and a cooking school.  Three additional wine estates are Capofaro on Salina, in the Aeolian islands; Whitaker on Mozia in the province of Trapani; and Sallier de La Tour in the DOC Monreale area.