About Carricante

Carricante is a white wine grape from Sicily in Italy.

It is the main grape in Etna Bianco DOC, where it is blended with Catarratto.

Refer Etna DOC below.

Carricante growns at high altitudes (1000 meters) on the vulcanic Mount Etna.

The name comes from "Caricare" (carry burden), with reference to the heavy yields.

The grape is very high in acidity, and Carricante wines tend to be high in total acidity, but with a low PH, because of malolactic fermentation.

Etna DOC

Etna DOC is a wine region on the north, east, and south hills of Mount Etna, the biggest active volcano in Europe.

The region was established in 1968:

Etna DOC Bianco:
Minimum 60% Carricante. Max 40% Catarratto (max 40%). Up to 15% Minella or Trebbiano.

Etna DOC Bianco Superiore:
Minimum 80% Carricante. Max 20% Catarratto, Trebbiano, or Minella. Grapes must be exclusively from the Milo area.

Etna DOC Rosso:
Minimum 80% Nerello Mascalese. Max 20% Nerello Cappuccio. Up to 10% other Sicilian grapes.

Etna DOC Rosso Riserva:
Minimum 80% Nerello Mascalese. Max 20% Nerello Cappuccio. Up to 10% other Sicilian grapes. Minimum 4 years aging, with minimum one year in barrel.

Etna DOC Rosato:
Minimum 80% Nerello Mascalese. Max 20% Nerello Cappuccio. Up to 10% other grapes, including white.

Etna DOC Spumante:
Minimum 60% Nerello Mascalese. Max 40% of other Sicilian varieties.

Etna D.O.C. territory is closely tied to the biggest active volcano in Europe - Etna. Much of it is covered with crops and natural vegetation. Among the cultivated species the grape vine has always played a major role.