What kind of wine is Etna Bianco Superiore DOC 'Pietra Marina' 2019 - Benanti

Etna Bianco Superiore DOC 'Pietra Marina' 2019 - Benanti is a mountain white wine produced on the eastern slopes of Etna, in the municipality of Milo, in the province of Catania. It is made exclusively from Carricante grapes, an indigenous Sicilian grape variety capable of expressing the full character of the volcanic territory. This white wine stands out for its elegant, fresh, and savory style. Its minerality derives directly from the lava soils, while its marked acidity gives it lively freshness and excellent aging potential over time.

Vintage Details

The 2019 vintage on Etna was characterized by a rather cold and rainy winter, which favored a good water reserve in the soils. The mild spring and airy summer, with significant temperature variations between day and night, allowed for slow and complete ripening of the grapes. The result is a balanced, defined wine with intense yet harmonious aromas.

Winemaking and Aging

Etna Bianco Superiore DOC 'Pietra Marina' 2019 - Benanti is produced from manual harvesting of the grapes and soft pressing, which helps preserve the aromatic purity of Carricante. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel at controlled temperatures, maintaining the freshness and fragrance of the fruit intact. This is followed by a long aging of at least 24 months on its lees, the so-called fecce nobili (fine lees), with frequent bâtonnage (stirring), which enriches the wine with complexity and softness without altering its clear mineral essence.

Tasting Notes

This wine represents one of the highest expressions of Carricante and the Etna territory, offering a tasting profile of great elegance and personality.

Color

It appears bright straw yellow with slight golden reflections, indicative of beautiful maturity.

Nose

The bouquet is broad and refined: it opens with notes of ripe citrus, Mediterranean herbs, and wildflowers, then evolves towards mineral accents and a delicate briny hint recalling the sea breeze and volcanic soil.

Palate

On the palate, it is fresh, deep, and well-balanced. The marked acidity of Carricante gives it momentum, while the minerality and savouriness accompany a long and clean finish. It is a wine that combines elegance and structure, revealing the typicality of its territory with every sip.

What to pair with Etna Bianco Superiore DOC 'Pietra Marina' 2019 - Benanti

Perfect for accompanying fish and shellfish dishes, Etna Bianco Superiore 'Pietra Marina' enhances the flavors of Mediterranean cuisine and simple yet aromatic preparations. Also excellent with:

• baked or grilled fish
• seafood risottos
• semi-hard and lightly aged cheeses
• delicate white meats with aromatic herbs

Its structure and savoriness also allow it to stand up well to more demanding pairings, such as Sicilian swordfish or citrus risotto.

Storage and aging - how to store Etna Bianco Superiore DOC 'Pietra Marina' 2019 - Benanti

While ready to be enjoyed, Etna Bianco Superiore DOC 'Pietra Marina' 2019 - Benanti can evolve magnificently for several years in the bottle. For best storage:

• keep the bottle horizontally, away from light and temperature fluctuations
• maintain a cool environment, with a constant temperature between 10 and 14°C
• avoid excessive humidity or dryness

This wine, despite having good longevity, performs best within 2-3 years from the harvest, when freshness and minerality find the perfect balance in the mouth.