Eudes 'Bianco di Monte' Etna Bianco DOC 2018

Giovanni Messina and Laura Torrisi have put down roots - both the vines’ and their own - on 3 hectares of a formerly-abandoned property Giovanni grew up with and helped his father bring back to life. Those vineyards just so happen to be situated on the dramatic eastern slopes of Mount Etna, Sicily’s famed still-active volcano. The mountain defines the land in every way, including the diversity of soil types the volcano produces. Because of this, Etna is divided into subzones, or Contrade. Vini Eudes’ organically farmed vineyards are located in Contrada Monte Gorna, nestled into stonewalled terraces 750-770 meters above the Ionian Sea, on the slopes of Monte Gorna, an offshoot volcanic cone of Etna herself. The Bianco di Monte is made from carricante grapes grown organically in the stony, intensely dark-hued soils, which are rich in minerals, pumice, and trace elements including iron, copper, and silica. Upon harvest, grapes are gently pressed and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, then racked into stainless steel. After 15 months of elevage on fine lees, the wine is lightly filtered, then bottled and aged for an additional 12 months in bottle before release. That distinctive volcanic character can be seen (and tasted!) throughout every aspect of this wine. Stony, smoky, petrichor notes open the show, followed by textured layers of yellow peach flesh, apricot skin, and hints of salty citrus, all over a core of rocky minerality that lingers delightfully long on the palate. Organically grown.