Volcanic Carricante - Wine & Spirits Magazine

Wine of the Week

Volcanic Carricante

by Stephanie Johnson • June 13, 2022

Starry sky over Planeta’s Feudo di Mezzo winery on Mt. Etna (Courtesy of Planeta)

The Planeta family, based near Menfi in western Sicily, began buying property on Mt. Etna in the early 2000s. They restored abandoned vineyards in the Sciaranuova contrada, planting nine terraces to Etna’s native carricante and one terrace to riesling. According to winemaker Patricia Toth, it was the stony soils and high elevations that inspired the team to plant riesling, which they believed would enhance the more neutral carricante’s aromatics and complement its aging potential. The vineyards reach up to 2,800 feet above sea level, just outside of the Etna DOC boundary, so the wine is labeled under the Sicilia DOC and is named for the soils that emerged during a famous ten-year eruption that occurred in 1614. The 2018 bottling tastes like salted lemon rock candy, with a hard mineral core and a dense texture balanced by tangy citrus tones. Vinified entirely in stainless steel to preserve the fresh aromas and high-toned, tart fruit flavors, this wine is a perfect partner for pan-fried sole in a lemon butter sauce. ed, tart fruit flavors that make this a perfect partner for pan-fried sole in a lemon butter sauce.

Taub Family Selections, Boca Raton, FL

92

Planeta 2018 Sicilia Eruzione 1614 Carricante

$27

Where To Buy

Every week, our editors highlight a wine that intrigued them in our blind panel tastings, expanding on their tasting note in this space. These are entirely editorial choices; there are no paid placements. Subscribers can also access the original tasting note by searching h ere.

Stephanie Johnson

is the Italian wine editor at Wine & Spirits magazine.

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TAGS Sicily Wine of the Week

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