Tenuta Tascante Etna Bianco

Tenuta Tascante is the Etna estate of the Tasca d’Almerita family, one of Sicily’s oldest wine families. The

family winery dates to 1830 in Sclafani, and in 2007 they began a new venture on Etna; the name Tascante combines Tasca with Etna. Buonora is made entirely from Carricante, the white grape native to Etna. Carricante was traditionally grown for its acidity and high yields, but it is now seen as one of Italy’s most compelling white varieties, capable of minerality, smoky or sulfurous notes, and a hint of petrol as it ages. The fruit comes from several Tascante sites on the northern slope between Randazzo and Castiglione di Sicilia, mostly from a terrace in Contrada Sciaranuova. The north face is cooler, thanks to altitude and less direct sun, so the grapes keep their acidity. The winemaking is simple and aims for transparency. The wine ferments in stainless steel with no malolactic fermentation, then rests four months on its lees in steel. This is a linear, saline white with white flowers, citrus and orchard fruit over a stony core. It’s a clear expression of volcanic Carricante.