As we mentioned during the tastings for the Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia 2024 guide, this year we sampled approximately 350 Etna wines on-site for five days. We were the first to discover and reward this extraordinary district that had fallen into obscurity for years. The recurring observations were, "On Etna, you really have to try hard to make a bad wine," followed by "The volcano doesn't tell lies; the vintages are perfectly readable." In general, Sicily continues to demonstrate extraordinary dynamism year after year, leading to a prominent position in the Italian and international markets, not only with reds but also with whites. Nearly two-thirds of the awards go to white and red wines, along with a rosé from the Etna vineyards, confirming the terroir's vocation and surprising us with memorable labels. It's also worth noting the staggering increase in labels indicating the production contrada, a sort of "Burgundization" widely predicted by industry experts, led by Giacomo Tachis.
Etna Bianco wines with the best quality-to-price ratio for the Berebene 2024 guide
By raising the price range to 20 euros, in the Gambero Rosso Berebene 2024 guide, we were able to include a small selection of Etna wines. If Sicily's recent dynamism has revitalized the regional wine market, both domestically and internationally, it undoubtedly started from the Etna region. And it's not necessary to spend a fortune to savor wines from the volcano. We demonstrate this with a list of Etna Bianco wines (made from Catarratto and Carricante) awarded Tre Bicchieri or Due Bicchieri Rossi, having reached the final stages during the tastings for the Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia 2024 guide. You can purchase these wines for less than 20 euros at wine shops or online stores
A perfect example of an elegant and contemporary wine, Lenza di Munti Bianco 720 slm 2022 from Cantine Nicosia confidently secures Tre Bicchieri with its delicate scents of orange blossom, white peach, melon, superbly blended with hints of Mediterranean herbs, wisteria, and sage. The palate is rich, lively, and harmoniously marked by refined mineral undertones. Carmelo Nicosia and his sons Francesco and Graziano lead the beautiful family estate, dating back to 1898, which has made high quality and wines with a distinct terroir character some of its hallmarks. Market success and critical acclaim have encouraged the company to invest significantly in the Ragusa and Noto areas, yielding commendable results. Notable contributions come from winemaker Maria Carella, whose sensitivity has given rise to unforgettable labels.
Excellent is the Etna Bianco Contrada Taccione 2021 by Planeta, made from organically grown Carricante between 690 and 720 meters: it elegantly expresses citrus and herbal aromas with a mineral background of exquisite finesse. On the palate, it is savory, full-bodied, and persistent. The year 2023 saw the premature passing of Vito, the visionary behind Casa Planeta's splendid cultural initiatives. By the will of Alessio, Santi, and Francesca, these initiatives will continue to be one of the most beautiful features of this winery, which, since its early labels almost thirty years ago, has represented a model for the entire Sicilian wine movement. The harmonious coexistence of territorial identity, quality viticulture, sustainability, and environmental protection is evident.
The Etna Bianco 2022 from Cottanera is vibrant green in the aromas of grapefruit, mint, and fresh oregano, which reappear in a fruit of extreme pleasantness. In the '90s, Guglielmo and Enzo Cambria initiated the Cottanera project: viticulture returned to the family estate, and autonomous winemaking began. After initially featuring interpretations of international grape varieties, the focus shifted to Etna's indigenous varieties and the singularities and microclimates characterizing the volcanic terroir through the enhancement of the company's crus Calderara, Diciassettesalme, Feudo di Mezzo, and Zottorinoto.
The Etna Bianco 2022 from Tenute Bosco is exceptionally elegant in its broad bouquet, characterized by floral notes of orange blossom and lily of the valley, mineral and iodine hints, white pulp fruit, and citrus. The palate is tense and lively, in good balance between acidity and texture, marked by a very satisfying finish that notes a punctual return of refined fruity nuances. The winery of the Ponzini sisters is located on the northern slope of Etna, between Passopisciaro and Randazzo, with about a dozen hectares, certified organic, spread across three different contrade: Piano dei Daini, Solicchiata, and Santo Spirito. An optimal size, allowing them to personally manage the entire production chain. The quality of the production is of a commendable level, characterized by a style that successfully combines varietal identity and territory.
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