Personalised Graci Etna Bianco Arcuria DOC 2018 13% 750ML

Personalised Graci Etna Bianco Arcuria DOC 2018 13% 750ML

Winter was mild and dry, with temperatures rarely dipping below freezing, unusual on Etna. Spring was cool and wet, though summer arrived with temperatures nudging 35 Celsius at times. August was extremely wet and cool to cold, slowing the maturation of the berries, but thankfully warmer, more stable conditions in September corrected this. Significant rain events in October resulted in the need for sorting on the reds, though the whites were harvested in good health with optimum maturity and crisp acids. The reds are vibrant in colour, fragrant and delicate, with slightly elevated acids. The 2018s are immensely elegant and approachable.

Alberto Graci with sister Elena farm their vineyards on the north face of Mt Etna, at 600 - 660 m.a.s.l. at Arcuria, Passsopisciaro. Fifteen hectares are planted to Nerello Mascalese and 2.5 to Carricante and Catarratto. Part of the vineyard is ungrafted ‘alberello’ (bush vines) at a total density of 10,000 per hectare. Graci also own an 80 year old vineyard (bush trained) in Contrada Feudo di Mezzo, Passopisciaro at 600 m.a.s.l. In Contrada Barbabecchi at 1000 – 1100 m.a.s.l. Graci own a 1.5 hectare vineyard planted about 100 years ago which is harvested in November! The most recent Etna eruption occurred in December 2015, and the threat of a serious eruption requires a certain outlook says Alberto “We are fatalists, we don’t care. It’s normal for us”. It is the complexity of the volcanic soils which contributes much to the unique minerality and elegance of the wines of Etna.

Variety: Carricante
Region: Etna, Sicily, Italy
Winemaker: Alberto Graci