The best wine tasting experience on Mount Etna
What tour could you choose? Which Choice could you make?
Some places have the expertise, wine and passion to guide you through tastings and talk about different regions, altitudes, exposure and winemaking processes. Of course, we will talk about some Sicilian wine tour experiences as a group. Here, you can visit the winery in person, experience the charm of the vineyard first-hand, have lunch or dinner with famous winemakers and artisans, and taste the food on the east side of the magical island.
If you go for a wine tasting on Mount Etna, you should know that the wineries themselves are not close and a car(especially if with english language driver) is strongly recommended. Note that if you are driving alone in the Sicilian wine region, it is not always easy to navigate and it is highly recommended to have a driver or guide in the area. Not saying it’s impossible, getting lost after a while can be done, but also remember that drinking and driving can be dangerous.
Another thing to keep in mind when visiting Etna wine country is that appointments are mandatory to visit wineries and meet producers. The cellar doors are closed to the public, and each winery charges a tasting fee. On the other hand, there is a large selection of wines to sample on almost every visit, as well as many typical foods to pair with the wines.
Grapes you should know
There are 3 main grape varieties on Mount Etna, but you’ll come across some other great grapes along the way. Here are the 3 main grape varieties in the Etna wine region.
– Nerello Mascalese: Nerello Mascalese, known locally as Niureddu, is the main variety in the Etna Rosso category. Its origin comes from the town of Mascali, where the name comes from. Part of what makes this grape so good is the abundance of pre-phylloxera vines found on the slopes of Mount Etna. Even this grape is blended with the typical Etna Rosso IGT and DOC’s Nerello Cappuccio. These two grapes complement each other perfectly. Nerello Mascalese is low in color and high in tannins, while Nerello Cappuccio is high in color and low in tannins. This gives these wines a nice balance.
– Nerello Cappuccio: This grape takes its name from the appearance of the grape variety. Cappuccio (cap in Italian) is taken from the crown of the grape, which resembles the cap that covers the bunches of grapes. While this grape is most often blended with Nerello Mascalese, there are some examples of the variety being used on its own. Worth mentioning: Etna’s designated DOC is composed of 80% Nerello Mascalese and 20% Nerello Cappuccio
– Carricante: Derived from the Italian word caricare (to load), the Carricante grape variety will produce large quantities of grapes if left to its own devices. Enough to load a cart or donkey. Although Carricante is a vibrant grape variety, it is known for producing some of the most complex white wines on Mount Etna. These wines are rich in minerals, with powerful acidity and age well.
Fun Fact: Carricante thrives where nothing else grows. This variety is grown on the highest slopes of Mount Etna or in the valleys where the soil is hardest and poorest. The more the grapes fight, the better the wine will be. 😉 Grapes you should know: There are 3 main grape varieties on Mount Etna, but you’ll come across some other great grapes along the way. Here are the 3 main grape varieties in the Etna wine region. – Nerello Mascalese: Nerello Mascalese, known locally as Niureddu, is the main variety in the Etna Rosso category. Its origin comes from the town of Mascali, where the name comes from. Part of what makes this grape so good is the abundance of pre-phylloxera vines found on the slopes of Mount Etna. Even this grape is blended with the typical Etna Rosso IGT and DOC’s Nerello Cappuccio.
These wines are rich in minerality, strong in acidity and age well. Fun Fact: Carricante thrives where nothing else grows. This variety is grown on the highest slopes of Mount Etna or in the valleys where the soil is hardest and poorest. The more the grapes fight, the better the wine will be. 😉 The best wine tasting experience on Mount Etna. Some places have the expertise, wine and passion to guide you through tastings and talk about different regions, altitudes, exposure and winemaking processes.
And now, are you ready to choose your best wine tour in Sicily?
