Etna Est and its wines

Etna Est is one of the most fascinating subzones of the appellation Etna DOC, located on the eastern slope of volcano the highest active one in Europe, in province of Catania.
This area stretches between the municipalities of Milo, Santa Venerina, Zafferana Etnea and Trecastagni, overlooking the Ionian Sea, at altitudes ranging between 500 and over 900 metres above sea level

Etna Est is particularly well suited to producing Etna Bianco DOC, in particular in the commune of Milo, the only one authorised to use the term “Superiore”, thanks to mineral-rich lava soils, a windy climate and wide temperature swings, which encourage taut, saline, long-lived whites.

The reds too (Etna Rosso DOC) here take on finesse, tension and verticality, above all in high-altitude vineyards.

What is the Etna Est wine district?

Etna Est falls within the appellation:

• Etna DOC, in the following styles:

  • Etna Bianco DOC → made from Carricante.

  • Etna Bianco Superiore DOC → only from Carricante grapes grown at Milo.

  • Etna Rosso DOC → Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio.

  • Etna Rosato DOC

The soils, of recent volcanic, are among the youngest inItaly, and give the wines pronounced minerality, salinity and ageing potential.

Characteristics of the Wines of Etna Est

Colour

• Whites: Bright straw yellow, turning golden with ageing.

• Reds: Transparent ruby red in the Nerello Mascalese wines.

Aromas

• Fruity: Green apple, citrus, peach in the whites; cherry, wild strawberry, pomegranate in the reds.

• Floral: White flowers and elderflower in the Carricante; rose and violet in the reds.

• Mineral and Volcanic: Ash, wet stone, wild herbs, smoke.

Palate

• Taut and Vertical: In the whites, with high acidity and pronounced salinity.

• Fine and Complex: In the reds, with elegant tannins and long evolutionary potential.

• Fresh and Long-Lived: In all styles, thanks to the altitude and the soil.

Typical Grape Varieties of Etna Est

White Grape

• Carricante: The leading variety, for long-lived, mineral, citrus wines.

• Catarratto, Minnella, Grecanico: In small amounts in the blend.

Black Grape

• Nerello Mascalese: Fine, tannic, elegant, similar to Pinot Nero in the higher-altitude profiles.

• Nerello Cappuccio: Softer, used in blends to round things out.

Why Choose a Wine from Etna Est?

A wine from theEtna Est is perfect for those who love fresh, mineral wines with a deep sense of place, able to express the character of an extreme land.
Perfect with grilled fish, shellfish, vegetable first courses, white meat, cured meats Sicilian, aged goat's cheeses, and the reds also with mushrooms, roasts and light game.