Carricante is an ancient white grape variety native to Sicily. It is planted mostly at the eastern end of the island on the volcanic soils surrounding the towering heights of Mt. Etna. The grape is high in acidity giving the wines good longevity, similar to a dry Riesling. A style which will happily age for many years in bottle. The grape is key to all white Etna DOC wines, Sicilia DOC and Terre Siciliane IGP. Carricante wines have a full range of refreshing citrus with lemon and lime through to grapefruit to orange, alongside herbal notes including mint and aniseed. An important character in these wines is the mineral character found in the finest examples. Most Carricante wines are fresh and unoaked, with late harvested wines adding a note of honey, and a textural creaminess may be derived from extended lees' ageing. A classic pairing with fish dishes including Sicilian Swordfish (cooked with tomatoes, capers, olives, and mint), sardines (stuffed with breadcrumbs, pine nuts, and raisins), fried Arancini, Lemon Shrimp Risotto, aromatic Thai curries (with lemongrass, ginger, and galangal). Aged Carricante evolves complex aromas of honey, toasted nuts, and petrol. These bolder profiles require heavier, richer foods such as truffle pasta, buttery lobster tail, crab legs, or seared scallops.
