Carricante is an ancient Sicilian white grape variety, deeply rooted in the wine-growing tradition of Mount Etna, where it has been cultivated for centuries, particularly on the eastern slopes of the volcano. The name derives from the dialect expression ‘u carricanti’, referring to its traditionally high yield. The leaf is medium-sized, generally pentagonal, trilobed or pentalobed, with a slightly wavy margin and a petiole sinus that is often closed. The bunch is medium-sized, conical or cylindrical-conical, simple or with one or two wings, and moderately loose; the berry is medium-sized, sub-ellipsoidal, with a firm, very pruinose skin, of a yellowish-green colour. Its preferred growing area is the slopes of Mount Etna, particularly the eastern flank and the territory of Milo, but the variety is also found in other parts of eastern Sicily. Traditionally trained as a bush vine on volcanic soils, it thrives in cool, well-ventilated environments characterised by significant daily temperature variations. The resulting wine is straw-yellow in colour, often with greenish highlights, and offers delicate, complex aromas of citrus, white flowers, white-fleshed fruit, orange blossom and aniseed. On the palate, it is characterised by lively acidity, minerality, savouriness, balance and good structure, accompanied by remarkable length and a marked capacity for development in the bottle. Once vinified mainly as part of a blend with other Etna varieties, today it expresses its character particularly effectively when vinified as a single-varietal wine.
