white grape · regional specialty
Carricante
Catania province, Sicily, Italy
Say it
kar·ree·kan·teh
Four syllables; stress on penultimate. Terminal 'e' is sounded, not silent.
On the palate
lemongrapefruitgreen applepearwet stoneorange blossom
How you spot it blind: volcanic wet-stone minerality with razor acidity and a saline finish
The story
First written down · 1774, Sicily
Benanti's Pietra Marina (first vintage 1990) is credited across multiple sources as the release that established Etna Bianco Superiore's international reputation for age-worthy quality.
Family tree: Strinto Porcino × Visparola
Where it lives
Mount Etna, Sicily (especially Milo, eastern slope)
Shows up as
still whitesparklingEtna Bianco DOCEtna Bianco Superiore DOC
If you like this, try
Also answers to Caricante.
Shop our Carricante bottles