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Duca di Salaparuta ‘Lavico’ Etna Bianco
Duca di Salaparuta ‘Lavico’ Etna Bianco
Sicilians simply call it “a Muntagna” (The Mountain). The rest of the world knows it as Mount Etna. At just over 11,000 feet, it is the largest volcano in Europe. And yes, it’s alive. (There were over 70 eruptions in 2023.) The volcano gives the place energy, both to the people and the vineyards. On those ever moving, lava belching, stark black, volcanic ash slopes lives Duca di Salaparuta.
Duca di Salaparuta winery sits on the northern slopes of the volcano. This is important because it is the volcano’s northern slopes where the best Etna wines are grown. The vines grow in large, terraced vineyards, about 2,200 above the Tyrrhenian Sea. The grape for this seductive charmer is Carricante. Carricante is an indigenous Sicilian grape mainly grown only on Mt. Etna. The ‘Lavico’ allures with a subtle, captivating salinity; just a bit of the taste of sea. You’ll perk right up when you taste its gleaming acidity, piercing minerality, and juicy, citrusy flavors. Yet the fruit is a bit more than that. There’s a comforting softness about the drink. Like a thin blanket on cool, October’s eve. Then there’s the overriding presence of herbs and a distinctive smoky, flinty character imparted by the volcanic soil. Just explosive flavors. (See what I did there with the volcano reference?)
Serving suggestion: When you get this home, throw this in the fridge. About 15 minutes before you’re ready to drink, open it and put it back in the fridge. After those 15 minutes are up, it’s ready for you.
Pairing Notes: I know, how often do you have it? Yet a decadent pairing with this wine is Octopus. It’s a Sicilian thing. Yet seafood with wine is a no brainer. Grilled vegetables and cheeses, especially eggplant and soft cheeses, pair well with Carricante's minerality. Pepperoni pizza is also a surprising but recommended pairing.
Duca di Salaparuta ‘Lavico’ Etna Bianco
Sicilians simply call it “a Muntagna” (The Mountain). The rest of the world knows it as Mount Etna. At just over 11,000 feet, it is the largest volcano in Europe. And yes, it’s alive. (There were over 70 eruptions in 2023.) The volcano gives the place energy, both to the people and the vineyards. On those ever moving, lava belching, stark black, volcanic ash slopes lives Duca di Salaparuta.
Duca di Salaparuta winery sits on the northern slopes of the volcano. This is important because it is the volcano’s northern slopes where the best Etna wines are grown. The vines grow in large, terraced vineyards, about 2,200 above the Tyrrhenian Sea. The grape for this seductive charmer is Carricante. Carricante is an indigenous Sicilian grape mainly grown only on Mt. Etna. The ‘Lavico’ allures with a subtle, captivating salinity; just a bit of the taste of sea. You’ll perk right up when you taste its gleaming acidity, piercing minerality, and juicy, citrusy flavors. Yet the fruit is a bit more than that. There’s a comforting softness about the drink. Like a thin blanket on cool, October’s eve. Then there’s the overriding presence of herbs and a distinctive smoky, flinty character imparted by the volcanic soil. Just explosive flavors. (See what I did there with the volcano reference?)
Serving suggestion: When you get this home, throw this in the fridge. About 15 minutes before you’re ready to drink, open it and put it back in the fridge. After those 15 minutes are up, it’s ready for you.
Pairing Notes: I know, how often do you have it? Yet a decadent pairing with this wine is Octopus. It’s a Sicilian thing. Yet seafood with wine is a no brainer. Grilled vegetables and cheeses, especially eggplant and soft cheeses, pair well with Carricante's minerality. Pepperoni pizza is also a surprising but recommended pairing.