2017 Etnella ‘Attia’ Chasselas

Region: Mt. Etna < Sicily < Italy

Grapes: Chasselas

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Organic/biodynamic farming, 70-year old vines on black, rocky, volcanic soil; whole cluster press, bottled unfined/unfiltered with no added SO2; 10% ABV

Winemaker: Davide Bentivegna

High on the slopes of Mount Etna, Davide Bentivegna grows 4hectares of vines for his Etnella winery, alongside olives with which he makes three "crus' of EVOO, and fruit trees for his famous jams.  Attia is Etnella's skin-macerated white wine, from 70-year old Chasselas grapes on his vineyard in Passopisciaro, spitting distance from mighty Etna's active lava flows.   Savory and salty like the sea, this wine (technically in the "orange" category) is light-bodied, richly textured and full of character. Like all wines of Etna, you get an intense mineral concentration, but unlike most Sicilian wines (known for their warmth and generosity, like the Sicilian people) Attia is almost shy, without the alcoholic exuberance and lush fruit one typically finds on the island. Tastes a bit like crushed Sweet Tarts, sprinkled with chili and sea salt.  Drink with sushi, crudo or practically any seafood.