The Carricante grape is a Sicilian white grape variety that has a long-standing history dating back over a thousand years. Native to eastern Sicily, it is particularly associated with the slopes of Mount Etna, where it thrives in the volcanic soil, an environment that gives the grape its distinctive qualities. The vine grows best at high elevations where the cooling effects of the altitude help it to retain its notable acidity levels.
Carricante is celebrated for its high-quality yield, despite being primarily cultivated in a limited region. It produces wines that are light-bodied with a straw-yellow hue. In terms of aroma, Carricante wines often present a complex mix of lime, apple, and delicate floral notes, with more mature varieties developing hints of petrol. Its distinct minerality lends to its characteristic sharp acidity, making it a refreshing, sharply defined wine.
The Carricante grape is usually cultivated as a varietal, although it can be blended with other Sicilian grapes to create unique flavour profiles. Traditionally, it results in a wine suitable for long ageing, known to evolve and blossom over time. While it may be a lesser-known variety worldwide, within its home region - Sicily - and particularly around the Etna DOC area, Carricante is quite a star, relished for its fresh citrus flavours and deep mineral accents.
Over time, growing global interest in indigenous and rare grape varieties has helped to bring attention to Carricante. Wine enthusiasts worldwide have come to appreciate its unique expression of the volcanic terroir of Mount Etna. It is now recognised as one of Sicily’s important contributions to the wine world, synonymous with distinct Sicilian character, history, and the volcanic essence of Mount Etna. This white grape variety surely holds a promising future in the sphere of fine wines.
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