Etna Bianco "Contrada Cavaliere"
Palmento Costanzo
Palmento Costanzo's Contrada Cavaliere is an Etna Bianco that channels the dramatic verticality of its high-altitude vineyard into every sip. Built on Carricante from volcanic soils on Mount Etna's eastern slopes, this wine is all structure reaching skyward—mineral tension, vibrant acidity, and a persistent finish that seems to climb rather than fade. A benchmark expression of what Etna's white wines can achieve.
Nose
An immediately vertical aromatic profile opens with white peach, crushed limestone, and delicate lemon blossom. Underneath, hints of almond paste and fresh herbs rise like scaffolding from the volcanic soil, building layer upon mineral layer.
Palate
The palate is taut and structured, with a saline-mineral spine that gives the wine its remarkable upward tension. Ripe green apple and citrus zest are framed by a chalky, almost powdery texture, while subtle notes of toasted hazelnut add depth without weight.
Finish
Long and lifting, with lingering salinity, crushed stone, and a whisper of bitter almond that echoes the volcano's elevation.
- Varietal
- Carricante
- Blend
- Predominantly Carricante with a small percentage of Catarratto
- Vineyards
- Contrada Cavaliere, eastern slope of Mount Etna, approximately 700 meters elevation on volcanic soils rich in ash, pumice, and mineral deposits
- Alcohol
- 13%
- Organic / Biodynamic
- No
- Skin Contact
- No
Food Pairing
Serve alongside pan-seared branzino with a sauce of salted capers, Meyer lemon, and toasted almonds over a bed of wild fennel—the wine's mineral backbone mirrors the sea-kissed fish while its citrus notes harmonize with the bright, herbaceous garnish.
Planted on the ancient lava flows of Contrada Cavaliere at over 700 meters on Etna's eastern face, Palmento Costanzo's Carricante vines cling to terraced volcanic slopes where the earth itself seems to reach toward the sky.
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