THE EXALTATION OF HEROIC MOUNTAIN VITICULTURE
Cavanera Contrada Zottorinotto - Balza delle Poiane
Etna DOC
Carricante
It’s a white wine of great class, essential in its desire to stand out for its production style and oenological expression, sought-after yet distinctive in fully capturing the aromatic profile of its Carricante grapes from a Cru located in Contrada Zottorinotto, in the territory of Castiglione di Sicilia, on the northeast side of Mount Etna. Aromaticity and intensity in a vibrant interplay of a thousand gustatory-olfactory sensations, power and finesse in harmony with balsamic hints and mineral notes pushed to the sublime, when enriched with white flowers and citrus peels rich in aromas of cedar and lemon. An expansiveness that shines on the palate in its marked sapidity and in the elegant and clear recall of white peach that leads to a finale of very fine but prolonged almond confectionery, very pleasant.
It’s a white wine of great class, essential in its desire to stand out for its production style and oenological expression, sought-after yet distinctive in fully capturing the aromatic profile of its Carricante grapes from a Cru located in Contrada Zottorinotto, in the territory of Castiglione di Sicilia, on the northeast side of Mount Etna.
- Appellation: Etna DOC
- Vine: Carricante
- Terroir: Mountain
- Soil: Sandy with various granulometries characterized by a significant presence of stones
- Exposure: North side of Mount Etna volcano at an altitude of approximately 730/750 meters above sea level
- Contrada: Zottorinotto
Production Area
Etna – Contrada Zottorinotto
Contrada Zottorinotto is located on the North slope of Mount Etna, at an altitude of approximately 750-780 meters above sea level. It owes its pedological profiles to the Ancient Mongibello phase of the volcano; the soil is sandy of volcanic origin but with excellent drainage capacity. Viticulture in this district is characterized by pedemontane climatic aspects: low rainfall during the growing season, strong ventilation, and significant temperature variations between day and night, with temperature fluctuations sometimes reaching 18/20°C.
Cavanera Contrada Zottorinotto
The pursuit of excellence with contrada wines
They arise in single-hectare vineyards for limited and niche production, with vineyards and portions of land that stand out for the natural peculiarity that some areas on the northern slope of the majestic volcano manage to express, with characteristics well-defined in terms of quality and, above all, for the consistent regularity of harvests and years. Territorial subdivision, careful selection of plants and grapes, and small vinifications have been key elements in a research journey that has led to the elevation of traditional grape varieties: nerello mascalese and nerello cappuccio for dark berries, carricante and catarratto for white berries.
Cavanera Contrada Zottorinotto
Vintages Characteristics
2022
In the northeast area of the volcano, plant growth was characterized by a mild spring with limited rainfall, followed by an exceptionally dry summer. These conditions favored an excellent grape ripening on Mount Etna. Harvest began in mid-August for the international varieties cultivated near the sea and later in mid-September on Mount Etna with the harvesting of Carricante and Nerello Mascalese for the production of rosé wines.
Cavanera Contrada Zottorinotto
Awards
2022
James Suckling: 94 pts
Paired with
Snapper Fillet with Brunoise of Leafy Vegetables in Cuttlefish Ink and Basil Mayonnaise
Take the scaled and delicate snapper, cut fillets of approximately 150 grams each, season with oil, salt, and pepper. Sear the skin side first until it becomes crispy, then continue cooking in the pan.
