Description

The Maugeri estate is a relative newcomer, but the wines made here with the guidance of enologist Emiliano Falsini (a consulting enologist on Etna for years, working with Alberto Graci, Giuseppe Russo of Girolamo Russo, as well as others) are excellent; they show the distinctive stamp of this appellation very clearly, with neither flaws nor flashy winemaking to get in the way. Mount Etna is one of the best white wine terroirs in Italy, and Maugeri is a perfect example of it.

Made entirely of Carricante grapes grown in sandy decomposed lava soil near Milo, on the east side of Mount Etna. The vines were planted around 2010, on terraces surrounded by dry-stone walls and forest, at about 700 meters (2,300 feet) above sea level. The grapes are usually harvested in early October, by hand, into small picking boxes; they are then taken to the cellar and left in the press at low temperature for six hours to extract flavors from the skins. The whole bunches are then pressed off, and the juice is inoculated with selected yeasts.

Very pale yellow in the glass; aroma and flavor of wet stones, with hints of mixed Mediterranean herbs and citrus peel; bright acidity in the mouth, palate-coating concentration, and lovely minerally white wine. Very reminiscent of Chablis. Estate bottled.