2019 Terra Costantino de Aetna Etna Bianco

Region: Etna < Sicily < Italy

Grapes: 80% Carricante, 15% Catarrato, 5% Minella

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified organic farming, intense volcanic soil on Etna's south-eastern slope; fruit is picked in small boxes then pressed immediately and fermented/aged in stainless steel, unfined/unfiltered. Minimal SO2 added at bottling; 12.5% ABV

Winemaker: Dino + Fabio Constantino

Organic volcanic juice from fiery Mt. Etna that tastes like salt-crusted rocks baked in the Sicilian sun and infused in spring water!

Run by father-son duo Dino Constantino and Fabio, the organic Terra Costantino estate (certified since 2002) is located on the south-eastern slope of Mt. Etna. Their 10 hectares of vineyards stretch across the mid-slope of this still-active volcano.  The name 'de Aetna' is inspired by the title of a Latin pamphlet that dates from 1494 and expresses the sacredness of the oenological universe.  This is classic Etna Bianco – structured and savory, with flowers on the nose but the palate is all clean edges and quiet power.  Energetic and mineral-driven, with vibrant acidity that lifts lemon zest, ripe pear and candied citrus before closing on a salty pine nut note. We love it paired with pasta with capers, anchovy and tuna – it’s pure alchemy when these strong flavors go up against this quietly assertive wine.  And it's a great example of how powerful Etna's dry Carricante whites can get, while still retaining freshness and mineral bite.  She's drinking beautifully now, but has the legs to age if that's your thing.