Carricante

Carricante traces its roots back to the ancient soils of Sicily. It is a grape steeped in history and tradition. Its tale is as old as the island itself. People often speculate that it has Greek origins, brought to Italy during the Greco-colonial era around the 8th century BC. It adapted quickly to Sicily's own growing conditions. Carricante emerged as an indigenous grape, set apart from other varieties. By the 18th century, Italian ampelographers were already recording how widely it was grown, above all in the province of Catania.

Over the years, the grape found its stronghold on the slopes of Mount Etna. Its cultivation carried on through the ages. It became the most grown white grape in Catania until the mid-20th century. Its popularity waned for a period. But the turn of the 21st century saw a resurgence. Forward-thinking winemakers recognised Carricante's untapped potential, and that led to a revival of sorts.

Carricante is rather fussy about climate. It clearly prefers temperate conditions peppered with noticeable temperature variations. In its native Sicily, the grape thrives on the slopes of Mount Etna. There the climate is moderated by altitude and sea breezes.

The Etna region is renowned for its big day-to-night temperature swings. That lets the Carricante grape build a complex set of aromas. Think of it as the grape's own Goldilocks setting: not too hot, not too cold, just right. The result is wine with a distinctive minerality and refreshing acidity. Perhaps you are used to the milder climates of the British Isles. You might even be a fan of our own British-grown Bacchus grape. If so, Carricante offers a deliciously different option for your wine repertoire. It is just as sensitive to climate.