Etna Spumante Blanc de Noir 'Gaudensius' Firriato
Firriato's Etna Spumante Blanc de Noir 'Gaudensius' is a sparkling wine born on the northern slope of Etna, and made from the area's iconic grape variety, Nerello Mascalese. Soft, rich and enveloping, the nose expresses a whirlwind of scents that tell of Sicily and its landscapes: aromas of orange, lemon, orange blossom and delicate iodine hints stand out. Try it with a pasta with sardines, or a fish main course, to feel transported to the seashore!
The Etna Sparkling Blanc de Noir ‘Gaudensius’ from the renowned Sicilian producer Firriato is characterized by bubbles rich in mineral sensations that evoke the volcanic nature of Etna. This bottle is part of the ‘Etna’ collection, a selection by Firriato that includes wines made from grapes sourced from the northern slopes of the famous volcano. In particular, the Blanc de Noir ‘Gaudensius’ is crafted from the black grape variety typical of this land: Nerello Mascalese.
The ‘Gaudensius’ Firriato Etna Sparkling Blanc de Noir is born in the Cavanera Etnea estate, located within the municipality of Castiglione di Sicilia. The grapes come specifically from the districts of Verzella, Feudo di Mezzo, and Contrada Sant’Antonio – Cottanera, situated at an average altitude of 650 meters above sea level on sandy soils of volcanic nature with high drainage capacity. In the winery, the Nerello Mascalese grapes undergo gentle whole-cluster pressing, with the resulting must then undergoes alcoholic fermentation at a controlled temperature. Once ready, the sparkling base is bottled for refermentation according to the Classic Method, with over 36 months of aging on the lees during which frequent “coup de poignée” are performed, a technique that involves quickly shaking the resting bottles to facilitate the autolysis of yeast cells, thereby enhancing the olfactory complexity.
The Etna Sparkling Blanc de Noir ‘Gaudensius’ from Firriato winery has a straw-yellow color with luminous golden hues, featuring fine and persistent bubbles. The aromatic bouquet is intriguing with its hints of Sicilian citrus, anise, and brioche, combined with mineral suggestions. On the palate, it shows good structure and complexity, with a long and fresh mineral finish that ends with a sweet almond note.