Etna Bianco "Contrada Cavaliere" 2018 Benanti
"Contrada Cavaliere" is one of the great Sicilian ini of the Benanti company, elegant and refined, it is produced with Carricante grapes coming from the South-West side of the volcano, in the homonymous Contrada Cavaliere in the municipality of Santa Maria di Licodia at 900 meters above sea level.
The vines are about 50 years old and grow on volcanic and sandy soils, where they are trained on espaliers. The grapes are harvested by hand and after destemming they are softly pressed; fermentation takes place for about 15 days at a controlled temperature of about 18 °C in steel tanks, thanks to a specific indigenous yeast selected in the vineyard after lengthy experimentation. The wine is left to mature on the noble lees, with periodic bâtonnage, for 12 months. After bottling, it is refined in the bottle for about 6 months.
The Etna Bianco "Contrada Cavaliere" is straw yellow in colour with greenish highlights, the nose is intense and complex with hints of orange blossom and ripe apple, hints of minerals and Mediterranean spices. In the mouth it is harmonious and mineral with a pleasant acidity and a long persistence.
DENOMINATION: Etna DOC
REGION: Sicilia (Italia)
GRAPES: 100% Carricante
VINIFICATION: manual harvest and soft pressing, fermentation in stainless steel tanks and refinement in tanks for 12 months.