From: Etna, Sicily, Italy
Blend: 60% Carricante, 25% Catarratto, 10% Grecanico, 5% Minnella
Taste & Critical Acclaim: 60% Carricante, 25% Catarratto, 10% Grecanico, 5% Minnella from vineyards located on the northern slopes of the Etna volcano at 600-900 meters above sea level. After harvest at the beginning of October, the grapes go through a soft pressing and low temperature fermentation in stainless steel. Lacy and floating. Ripe Asian pear, saline and mineral, Lime, acacia, peach and spice. Quenching and mouth watering.
James Suckling 92
"This shows attractive aromas of citrus and stone fruit with hints of seashell, with stony and ashy undertones. Medium-bodied, tangy and fresh with vivid acidity and a polished mineral backbone to it. Steady and focused with a crunchy finish. A blend of carricante, catarratto, grecanico and minnella. From organically grown grapes. Drink now."
Wine Spectator 91
"This crackles with an underpinning of salinity, working with vibrant acidity to buoy a well-meshed profile of apricot tart, persimmon, mandarin orange peel, chamomile and chopped almond flavors. Carricante, Catarratto, Grecanico and Insolia. Drink now through 2027. 3,000 cases made, 850 cases imported.—A.N."
Pairing: Pair this wine with light pasta dishes, fish, and white meats with some citrus or saline element. We’re sharing two pasta recipes below, the first, a traditional Sicilian pasta with sardines, and the second, an easy, weeknight vegetarian pasta recipe with zucchini and fresh herbs. “These wines are natural partners for all sorts of seafood, particularly shellfish and leaner cuts of fish. I would probably not serve them with meatier fish like tuna or salmon.” - Eric Asimov
Pasta With Sardines and Fennel
By David Tanis
Lemony Pasta With Zucchini and Fresh Herbs
By Colu Henry
About. Tenuta delle Terre Nere is a much beloved and world-class winery in the volcanic region of Mount Etna in Sicily. The estate has gained global recognition for producing some of the world's finest red wines using Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio grape varietals. Though perhaps more known for their red wines, this particular white wine (and their honey’s!) has a cult following, and is something that shouldn’t be missed.
The estate's proprietor, Marc de Grazia, was instrumental in elevating Mount Etna red wines to world-class status two decades ago. The winery takes full advantage of the mountain's volcanic soil and high-altitude microclimate to produce wines that exude minerality, freshness, and aromatic complexity. Their Etna Rosso is a blend of 95% Nerello Mascalese and 5% Nerello Cappuccio and undergoes a 16-month aging process in large French oak casks, followed by an additional month in stainless steel.
The wine is certified organic, reflecting the estate's commitment to sustainable and responsible viticulture practices.
Tenuta delle Terre Nere's philosophy is centered around their respect for nature and their commitment to expressing the refined and multifaceted microcosm of the ancient volcanic land. They believe that the finest workmanship in all aspects of viticulture is the first thing that sets them apart. They focus on vineyard management to obtain the best and most consistent ripening, enabling them to bring home exceptionally fine grapes and not be invasive in their cellar work. Their goal is to express the character of their varieties in their specific terroir, allowing the wine's natural flavors and aromas to shine through.
Their ideals drive them to give their best to create the ideal bond between what nature gives them and what their sensitivity, experience, and imagination suggest. The winery's great team, delicate hand, and heightened sensibility set them apart from other producers, making them a benchmark in the wine industry.