2024 Pietradolce Etna Bianco DOC, Sicily

Very typical for the region’s whites with pears, green apples, sea salt, brine and seaweed. Some flowers, such as honeysuckle. It’s medium-bodied with a creamy texture and fresh finish. Bitter lemon at the end. Drink or hold.

94 points jamessuckling.com

Pietradolce, founded in 2005 on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, has quickly established itself as one of Sicily’s leading producers of terroir-driven wines. The estate is family-owned and farmed organically, with vineyards sitting at elevations between 600 and 900 metres above sea level on Etna’s mineral-rich, volcanic soils. These dramatic slopes, carved from centuries of lava flow, offer a unique mix of free-draining sand and stones that stress the vines just enough to produce fruit of remarkable concentration and aromatic lift. The cooling influence of altitude, combined with the warmth of Sicilian sunshine, results in whites of crystalline purity and tension.

The Pietradolce Etna Bianco DOC is crafted from Carricante, the region’s noble white grape, sourced from old vines that deliver low yields but exceptional flavour intensity. In the glass, it shimmers pale straw with green reflections, opening with aromas of lemon blossom, wild herbs, and crisp green apple layered over hints of almond and wet stone. The palate is taut and vibrant, showing citrus zest, pear, and saline minerality, framed by mouth-watering acidity and a long, clean finish. The wine sees minimal oak, allowing the volcanic terroir to shine through with precision and elegance.

It is a natural partner for Sicilian seafood such as grilled swordfish with capers, spaghetti alle vongole, or prawns with lemon and olive oil. It also works beautifully with fresh goat cheese, fennel salad, or grilled vegetables with a drizzle of Sicilian olive oil. While best enjoyed in its youth for vibrancy, it can cellar for up to six years, developing more savoury, nutty complexity.