The Benanti winery was founded in 1988 by Giuseppe Benanti, a pharmaceutical entrepreneur from
Catania who decided to turn his family’s long standing traditional passion into an ambitious and
challenging new venture. Wine had been produced by the family for several generations, mostly for
private consumption, until Giuseppe finally decided to establish the winery with the aim of preserving the
unique terroir of Etna’s volcanic slopes, whilst cherishing and developing the indigenous Etnean
varieties.
The winery is now run by Giuseppe’s two sons Antonio and Salvino who have continued the original aim
to respect the varietal characteristics of the Etnean varieties, by adopting and maintaining a very
traditional approach and philosophy. Describing their wines as ‘slow wines’, the brothers ensure nothing
is rushed in Benanti winemaking; they are committed to producing only high quality wines from
vineyards located on different slopes of Mount Etna, so as to highlight the uniqueness of the many
different terroirs within the Etna DOC region. The family now owns vineyards in different DOC areas to
the north, south, and east of the Etnean massif allowing them to produce an intriguing range of wines
from the indigenous varieties Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Carricante and Minnella.
The area provides a unique microclimate due partly to the proximity to the sea, partly to the volcanic soil
and also to the cone-shaped surface of the slopes which provide excellent exposure to the sun. The sea
breezes and the altitude ensure the grapes are cooled in what would otherwise be a very hot climate,
and therefore the ripening process reaches its full potential but, crucially, without being rushed.
Benanti is considered both an iconic producer and a pioneer that has set a very high standard and has
certainly inspired other wineries. With a history of 22 harvest seasons on Etna, Benanti has worked
every day with an ever-increasing passion to perfect the presentation of Etna both as a land and a
community, and its native grape varieties.
Etna Bianco, Benanti, Sicily
£25.95
The Etna Bianco is produced with Carricante grapes that grow in 35-50 year old vineyards on the southern and eastern slopes of Mount Etna at about 700 – 950 metres above sea level. Due to the substantial difference in diurnal temperatures, the grapes are late ripening and are harvested by hand in the last fortnight of October. After being gently pressed, the fruit is slowly fermented in stainless steels vats at 18-20°C using patented selected indigenous yeasts for 15 days. And is then left to mature in the same vats before 2 months of bottle refinement.
Pale yellow in colour, this wine displays delicious ripe red and green apple aromas with a hint of ripe pear. On the palate the intense fruit is complimented by a slightly rich mouthful and balanced by a refreshing acidity and a bright aromatic persistance on the finish.
Use this like you would a Chablis and you won’t go far wrong; minerally, crunchy and dry, it marries perfectly with salmon dishes.
Out of stock
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Terlaner Cuvee, Cantine Terlano
Cantina Terlano is well known in Italian wine drinking circles for producing Italy’s longest lived white wines. Many memorable wines from the 1950s and 1960s, which rank amongst the greatest white wines of the world, were made here.
Located in the heart of the Terlan wine-growing region and founded in 1893, it is one of the oldest Alto Adige cooperatives. At that time, 24 growers set themselves the goal of joint production and sales marketing. Recognition and prosperity blossomed from there. Today Terlano has approximately 100 members, it farms 150 hectares and has an annual production of roughly 1.2 million bottles.
Under the expert eye of winemaker Rudi Kofler, the wines are sold and marketed according to three different quality categories. Furthermore, special older vintages have been stored in the valuable 'vinotheque', so that today roughly 12,000 bottles from 1955 to the present day are stored and some date back to even earlier days. This wine collection of older vintages is absolutely unique in Italy and proves that Terlano’s wines are able to age harmoniously for decades.
Brilliant pale yellow colour with green nuances. On the nose green apple and white peach combine with fine nuances of lemon balm and mint to create the typical aroma of the classic Terlano. On the palate the peach is very strong, too, lending the Terlano its lively but at the same time very mellow character. The multifaceted, well structured flavor derives from an interplay of freshness and minerality and also has a wonderfully persistent finish.
Great now, but this wine will gain richness and complexity with ageing. A perfect match for grilled fish and asparagus but this very food-friendly wine is remarkably versatile and can stand up to strongly flavoured dishes.
Friuli Sauvignon, Fondo Indizeno
Soave Classico, Monte Tondo
Monte Tondo is a family estate located in the beautiful hillside vineyards of Soave. Here the soils range from volcanic to chalky, which alongside the varying microclimates, gives the wines distinct flavour characteristics and individualistic style.
Alongside his family, winemaker Gino Magnabosco is part of the third generation to run the estate. They believe that hard work, drive, and determination are key to obtaining the best results from their land. Maintaining, nourishing, and cherishing the land of their ancestors is of utmost importance. And although not certified, they farm using organic practices and an environmentally friendly approach to both viticulture and vinification. No chemicals are used in their production and they recycle everything excess coming from the vineyard (stems as fertilizers, skins for grappa, pruned branches for heating and fertilizer).
Small proportions of other varieties are allowed in the production of Soave, but Monte Tondo focus their concentration purely on Garganega. Garganega is a variety so versatile and easily culinary matched but also with the ability to produce complex wines with age-ability.
A very good example of Soave at a very good price. This over-delivers.. Perfect with salads and light fish and shellfish dishes.