Who makes it?

Pietradolce Archineri Etna Bianco is a wine that should be a benchmark for Carricante from Sicily. Winemaker, Giuseppe Parlavecchio, certainly shows his mastery with the local Sicilian grapes in each of his wines. Pietradolce is owned by Michele Faro who in just two decades has the world sitting up and taking notice of the Etna region.  

And why not? The vineyards on Mount Etna’s eastern slopes are home to some pre-phylloxera vineyards.  Therefore, the Carricante bush pruned that produced these grapes are up to 130 years old. Although, it is believed that this indigenous variety has been grown on these slopes for a thousand years. While not quite as long lived, this variety makes cellarable white wines.

How do they make it?

The Pietradolce Archineri Etna Bianco ferments in stainless steel with no malolactic fermentation. Being high altitude vines, around 850 metres, in deep sand rich soils, the acid is fresh and in balance. However, after spending up to a year either in tank or in bottle, that acid rounds out on the palate. 

What does it taste like?

This careful judgement leaves wine with a mineral edge that complements fruit. Some years, such as 2017 it is more citrus, peach and apple fruit. In the 2022, the wine is more lightly dipping to more tropical pineapple notes with the dominant lemon citrus. There is a whiff of sage too that becomes more noticeable on the palate thanks to that saline edge. Just that 12 months also lends a grilled toast nuance to the nose too.

That minerality allows the Pietradolce Archineri Bianco to shine.  It is crisp and dry with a long backbone that drives silky fruit along the palate. Those aged vines strut their stuff with intense concentration and detail to the fruit.  

As this wine ages, it will develop some honey details that will flesh out this backbone. However, it is already filled out to show its future potential.  That acid will keep it going in the cellar for some years.

What to drink it with?

If you cannot wait for the wine to age gracefully, then enjoy with either some fresh seafood or a fillet of white fleshed fish with a lemon sauce. It is an excellent wine either way.

Cheese

I would suggest a white wine washed rind cheese such as Saint Nectaire. 

Quickie review «A outstanding zippy feisty Sicilian with lemon citrus lengthened by a mineral backbone. Even with that zippy acid line there is still silk to be found here. »

Country of Origin:  Etna DOC, Sicily
Tasting Date: January 2025
Price:  UK £50 | €50 | US$ 55++ | AU$110
Drink: now – 5+ years 
Needs food: no
Source: tasting

If you like outstanding Sicilian wines like this Pietradolce Archineri Etna Bianco wines, why not check out:
Donnafugata Mille e una Notte

Visit pietradolce for more.