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Al-Cantara Occhi di Ciumi Etna Sicily 2023
£163.26
Current Price (inc. Tax)
6 bottle(s) at £27.21 per bottle.
In stock
SKU
xHD5295023A
Al-Cantara Occhi di Ciumi Etna Sicily 2023: A Vibrant Expression of Sicily’s Volcanic Terroir
Grape Variety: 89% Carricante, 11% Grecanico
Region: Etna, Sicily
ABV: 13%
Residual Sugar: 2 g/L
Wine Type: Dry
Closure: Synthetic
Vegetarian/Vegan: Yes/Yes
Contains Sulphites: Yes
Organic: No
Biodynamic: No
Case Size: 6 Bottles (75cl)
Winemaker: Salvo Rizzuto
Wine Overview
The Al-Cantara Occhi di Ciumi Etna Sicily 2023 is an exquisite white wine that showcases the remarkable characteristics of Sicily’s Etna region. Crafted with 89% Carricante and 11% Grecanico, this wine is a perfect balance of freshness, minerality, and complexity. With an alcohol content of 13%, it offers a dry profile, making it ideal for those who appreciate crisp, vibrant wines.
Tasting Notes
This wine is wonderfully fresh, with enticing tropical fruit aromas and a marked minerality that perfectly complements the subtle spicy notes. The 2023 vintage benefits from a long, lingering finish, with a delicate hint of salinity that adds a unique dimension to the palate. The reductive winemaking technique used preserves the purity of the grapes, avoiding any contact with oxygen and minimising the use of sulphur.
On the palate, it is crisp and refreshing with well-defined citrus fruit, green apple, and subtle herbal notes. The minerality derived from the volcanic soils of Mount Etna adds depth and complexity, making each sip a discovery.
Winemaking Process
The grapes for this wine were gently crushed without being destemmed, ensuring minimal disruption to the delicate flavours. The must was clarified via sedimentation for 36 to 48 hours before fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at temperatures between 12 and 18°C, lasting 15 days. To enhance the wine’s texture and complexity, it was aged on its fine lees for five to nine months, avoiding the influence of oak to allow the true character of the Carricante variety and volcanic terroir to shine. After fermentation, the wine was racked twice to remove the gross lees, ensuring a clean and refined profile. A further year of bottle aging allowed for additional integration of flavors and a smoother mouthfeel.
Food Pairing
The Al-Cantara Occhi di Ciumi Etna Sicily 2023 pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes. Its vibrant acidity and mineral character make it an excellent match for seafood, particularly shellfish and grilled fish. It also complements dishes like risotto, light pasta with fresh herbs, and vegetable-based dishes.
Awards
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2023 Wine Enthusiast Best Buy
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Gold Medal at the 2024 International Wine Challenge
Suggested Links
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Buy Al-Cantara Occhi di Ciumi Etna Sicily
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Learn More About Sicilian Wines
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Explore Other Wines from Etna
Customer Reviews
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“An absolute delight – crisp, fresh, and so full of character. The minerality really shines through and makes it perfect with seafood.” – Sarah M.
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“I love the complexity of this wine. The tropical notes paired with that lingering salty finish make it a standout from Sicily!” – Michael D.
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“A beautiful expression of the volcanic terroir of Mount Etna. Refreshing, well-balanced, and perfect for a summer dinner.” – Emma L.
| Price | £136.05 |
|---|---|
| Country | Italy |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Bottles Per Case | 6 |
| Bottle Size | 75 |
| Winery | The grapes are grown in a valley between the volcano and the Nebrodi Mountains, approximately 620 metres above sea level. At this elevation, warm days and cool nights encourage a long ripening period concentrating the flavours in the grapes while retaining balancing acidity. The vines are grown in ash-coloured volcanic soils rich in minerals and fossils. The soil is permeable to air and water and is rich in pumice stone and microelements, which allow the plants to produce a complex aromatic profile. The espalier-trained vines are spur-pruned. The 10 to 50-year-old vines are cultivated following organic and biodynamic principles, and the vineyard is converted to organic status. The organic sulphur and copper treatments are only used when powdery or downy mildew seriously affects the vineyard. The vine moth is combatted by using natural pheromones, which generates confusion in the moth and prevents it from attacking the fruit. The grapes were hand-harvested during the cooler early hours of the day. |
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