2024 Benanti Etna Bianco
This is 100% Carricante fermented entirely in stainless steel to keep it as fresh as possible. It’s a bright, appley,
Producer
Benanti
I have reviewed two wines from Benanti, from the 2022 to 2024 vintages, all from Etna. Scores range from 93 to 93, averaging 93; the highest is the 2024 Benanti Etna Bianco (93 points). Benanti also features in two journal articles on this site.
It is impossible to discuss the modern renaissance of Mount Etna without starting with Benanti. In 1988 Giuseppe Benanti set out to revive the volcano’s vineyards, becoming one of the first to recognize their potential for distinctive, terroir-driven wines and championing Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio and Carricante. Together with Tenuta delle Terre Nere, the estate was among the first to believe in this land, and his sons continue the legacy with wines from old, often pre-phylloxera vines across several contrade.
The estate is closely associated with the east slope around Milo, home of the Etna Bianco Superiore, where the nearby sea gives the whites a saline edge and piercing acidity. The Etna Bianco, 100% Carricante fermented in stainless steel, is bright, racy and salty, the ultimate seafood wine, and the Etna Rosso, from Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio, is light on its feet, with wild strawberries, red cherries and a whisper of volcanic ash. Benanti remains a key reference point for the whole Etna DOC.
2022 Benanti Etna Rosso
A classic blend of Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. It is light on its feet and vividly fruit-focused, bursting with
Etna – Where to start
For a long time, the wine world looked at Sicily as a place for bulk wine—hot, high-alcohol, and largely anonymous.
Savoring Sicily, A Journey Through Island Wines
Sicily, a rich tapestry of cultures, is renowned for its vibrant wines and unique culinary flavors. The island boasts diverse grape varieties like Carricante, Frappato, and Nero d’Avola, each contributing to distinct wines. Key producers such as Tenuta delle Terre Nere and COS showcase Sicily’s winemaking heritage, highlighting its volcanic terroir and tradition.