Nicosia Lenza di Munti Etna Bianco

Nicosia Lenza di Munti Etna Bianco

Wine Description

Made with selected grapes grown on lava terraces at an average altitude of 720 m above sea level, these Etna wines represent a unique combination of the typical elegance of mountain wine and minerality due to volcanic origin. The extraordinary wealth of minerals in Etna's volcanic soils is the source of the very sapid and typical flavor of the wines produced here. The quality of the soil is closely tied to Etna’s volcanic origins, as it was formed through the disintegration of lavas with different compositions and from different eras, and eruptive materials such as sands, ashes, pumice stone and “lapilli”. Even the climate distinguishes the Etna area respect to the rest of Sicily. The average temperatures on the mountains are lower and the climate also changes depending on the slope and the alyitude. From a winemaking standpoint, the wine diurnal temperature range is fundamental, as it gives the wines their good freshness and elegant aromas. Carricante is an indigenous white grape cultivated exclusively on Etna and its name refers to the plant considerable productivity. In fact, the name Carricante refres to a "plant full of fruits".

Alessandro LoGenco, Agronomist of Nicosia Winery
Bunch of Nerello Mascalese grapes
Bunches of Frappato grapes Nicosia Vineyards in Vittoria
Cantine Nicosia with Mt. Etna in the background
Carmelo Nicosia current owner
Foto4 MonteGorna Vineyards Etna
Harvest in the Vittoria vineyards
Maria Carella, Nicosia Winemaker
Nicosia brand detail
Sunrise during the harvest in Etna vineyards
Vineyards of MonteGorna Etna drone
Vittoria Vineyards
Vittoria Vineyards
accordion plus icons
Acclaim
“A flash of smoke and toast up front quickly transitions to flavors of poached pear, pickled ginger and Meyer lemon peel on the palate of this crisp, light-bodied white.”
— Wine Spectator, Oct 2022
“This has all the crisp citrus, saline mineral and bright acidity you expect from an Etna white, especially this high up the volcano (720 metrers asl). And it's all well balanced and in focus on the medium-bodied palate. Low alcohol, but no lack of enjoyment. This is something special. Carricante and carricante. Enjoy now or hold.”
— James Suckling, Oct 2021
View more acclaim Arrow Right
accordion plus icons
Vineyard & Production Info
Production area/appellation:
ETNA DOC
Vineyard size
85 ha acres
Soil composition
volcanic soil, very rich in minerals
Elevation:
2362 feet
Exposure:
south, southeastern, eastern
Harvest time:
second and third week of October
First vintage of this wine:
2020
Bottles produced of this wine:
70,000
Average Vine Age:
20 years
Certified Eco-Friendly Practices:
yes
accordion plus icons
Winemaking & Aging
Maceration length:
cold macerated for 24 hours
Varietal composition:
60% carricante, 40% catarratto
Fermentation container:
stainless steel tank
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
20-25 days days
Fermentation temperature:
controlled temperature of 15-18°C °F
Maceration technique:
cryomaceration
Fining agent:
vegan
Size of aging container:
stainless steel vats
Length of bottle aging:
4 months
accordion plus icons
Analytical Data
pH level:
3.7
Acidity:
>4.5 g/L
Alcohol:
12.5 %
Residual sugar:
<5 g/L
accordion plus icons
Wine Production

Widely grown on the Eastern side of the volcano, this grape variety provides the base for Etna Bianco DOC, which gives freshness and elegant aromas. Catarratto is Sicily's most widely grown white grape. It has various clones that differ in the color and shape of the clusters, and it is often blended whit other varieties, as in the case of Etna Bianco DOC, which gives good structure and balance.