Pietradolce Etna Bianco 2021
-
Suckling
James - Decanter
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Its lively aromas highlight the freshness and lovely character of this wine. Because of the volcanic soil, its mineral component and the unique climate conditions, this Etna white has the pronounced minerality and unabashed acidity typical to wines of this territory.
Pairs well with seafood and grilled fresh fish.
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
Lots of melon and lemon-rind aromas with some sage and mustard seed, following through to a full body with a creamy texture and lemony finish. I like the floral and lemon-zest highlight that gives the wine energy at the end. Drink now.
-
Decanter
Pietradolce's entry-level Etna Bianco is from younger vines grown at 800m on the northern slopes of Mt Etna. Perfumed and fruity, it shows great balance with a tightness across the waist.
Other Vintages
2020-
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert -
Spirits
Wine &
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Suckling
James
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Suckling
James -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
- Decanter
-
Parker
Robert
-
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert
At the heart of their philosophy lies a deep love and respect for the land on which we depend, getting the best from traditional methods while using with wisdom the latest developments in grape growing and wine making without compromising the environment that gives life to their passion.
Carricante has grown on the slopes of Sicily’s Mt. Etna for the last thousand years. It is the dominant grape in Etna Bianco DOC blends, with Catarratto as a possible minor blending partner. The best examples come from volcanic soils at higher altitudes where a large diurnal temperature shift allows slow and steady ripening and the development of Carricante’s naturally high acidity. Somm Secret—A vine variety capable of high yields if not tended to properly, Carricante gets its name from, carica, the Italian word for “load.”
A large, geographically and climatically diverse island, just off the toe of Italy, Sicily has long been recognized for its fortified Marsala wines. But it is also a wonderful source of diverse, high quality red and white wines. Steadily increasing in popularity over the past few decades, Italy’s fourth largest wine-producing region is finally receiving the accolades it deserves and shining in today's global market.
Though most think of the climate here as simply hot and dry, variations on this sun-drenched island range from cool Mediterranean along the coastlines to more extreme in its inland zones. Of particular note are the various microclimates of Europe's largest volcano, Mount Etna, where vineyards grow on drastically steep hillsides and varying aspects to the Ionian Sea. The more noteworthy red and white Sicilian wines that come from the volcanic soils of Mount Etna include Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio (reds) and Carricante (whites). All share a racy streak of minerality and, at their best, bear resemblance to their respective red and white Burgundies.
Nero d’Avola is the most widely planted red variety, and is great either as single varietal bottling or in blends with other indigenous varieties or even with international ones. For example, Nero d'Avola is blended with the lighter and floral, Frappato grape, to create the elegant, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, one of the more traditional and respected Sicilian wines of the island.
Grillo and Inzolia, the grapes of Marsala, are also used to produce aromatic, crisp dry Sicilian white. Pantelleria, a subtropical island belonging to the province of Sicily, specializes in Moscato di Pantelleria, made from the variety locally known as Zibibbo.