“Alberelli di Giodo” Carricante Sicilia DOC 2023

Alberelli di Giodo | Carlo Ferrini | Sicily
Alberelli di Giodo | Az. Agr. Ferrini Carlo | Via Reims 13 | IT 50126 Firenze

19280123 · 0,75 l · 72,00 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately

A white legacy from the volcano: with the Alberelli di Giodo Carricante, Carlo Ferrini shows that great white wines do not have to come from the north – but from the east of Sicily. The vines grow at around 870 metres above sea level in the Contrada Volpare on the south-eastern slopes of Mount Etna. It is a barren, high-altitude single vineyard with a view of the Ionian Sea, characterised by porous lava soils, layers of ash, basalt fragments and permeable volcanic sand. The Alberello system with low, free-standing vines forces the plants to root deeply – each vine wrests its own language from the soil.

The 2023 vintage on Etna was characterised by cool nights and moderate daylight – a year of balance that left the Carricante with its typical nervous structure. Harvested by hand in small crates after rigorous selection. Fermentation and ageing take place entirely in stainless steel – at a low temperature, on the fine lees and with regular stirring. The wine then rests in the bottle for a few months to harmonise its structure before leaving the volcano.

Pale straw yellow in the glass with a silvery-green shimmer – cool, almost crystalline. The nose is precise and multi-layered: citrus zest, bergamot, Granny Smith, plus hints of white flowers, salted almonds, damp stone and a hint of mint. With air, a fine salty trace emerges, as if carried by the nearby sea. Straightforward and taut on the palate, with vibrant acidity, mineral grip and an almost dancing lightness. Despite its freshness, the body remains present, with a subtle texture and a long, cool finish. It combines Alpine freshness with Mediterranean depth – and reminds us that great whites can also be produced in the south if the terroir speaks and the winemaker listens carefully. An Etna Bianco for purists – clear, savoury, unforgettable. SUPERIORE.DE

"Cool, clear, polished and quite firm pome fruit and citrus aroma with very fine floral, mineral and vegetal flavours. Slender yet densely knit, tart, bright fruit, almondy, nutty and smoky nuances, again a little vegetal on the palate, very fine acidity and delicate grip, smoky nuances, increasingly intense minerality, persistent, good depth, a hint of wild mushrooms, hints of umami, becomes increasingly complex with air, very good, firm, tart finish with fine spice and again plenty of minerality. Needs air, but rewards patience enormously." Wein-Plus

"The Alberelli di Giodo 2023 Carricante is another highlight in my tasting of white wines from Etna. I love the clarity and brightness of the flavours achieved here. These include citrus, white peach and lots of delicate salty mineral shadings that give the wine a sense of lasting structure and depth. The wine gives the appearance of simplicity, but it is anything but. It offers lingering complexity and interesting layers as it warms in the glass." Wine Advocate

"The purity of the fruit and the transparency are really captivating, with flavours of dried apples, limes, green mangoes and crushed stones. Medium body with flavours of sliced apples and pears. Mineral undertones. Long and flavourful." James Suckling