Maugeri - Etna Bianco Superiore 'Frontemare' Contrada Praino 2024

Mount Etna, the volcano that dominates the north-eastern corner of the island of Sicily, has become famous for red wine since 2000 or so, and with good reason; the red wines produced on the northern and southern faces of the mountain are among the best in Italy. I think that the white wines grown on the east face of Etna, around the town of Milo, are at least as interesting, mineral and deep and very ageable.  (The denomination Etna Bianco Superiore is only given to grapes grown around Milo.) 

The Maugeri estate is a relative newcomer, but the wines made here with the guidance of enologist Emiliano Falsini are excellent; they show the distinctive stamp of this appellation very clearly, with neither flaws nor flashy winemaking to get in the way. Mount Etna is one of the best white wine terroirs in Italy, and Maugeri is a perfect example of it.

The grapes are harvested by hand then the direct pressed grapes undergo a process of cryomaceration for three hours. The must is cold clarified and fermented; 30% in stainless steel and 70% in French oak barrels where the wine is aged on the lees for 8 months.

Producer: Maugeri

Country: Italy

Region: Sicily

Varietal: Carricante

Appellation: Etna Bianco Superiore

Vintage: 2024

Size: 750ml