Barone Villagrande - Monte Arso - Brut Nature 2023

Barone Villagrande Monte Arso Brut Nature 2023 | Contrada Monte-Arso, Etna, Sicily

From the ancient volcanic soils of Mount Etna, this rare sparkling wine is made entirely from Carricante grape, the indigenous white grape of the eastern slopes. Grown in the historic Contrada Monte-Arso, it captures the wild mineral soul of the volcano through the discipline of metodo classico - a wine that could only come from this singular place.

About the Producer Barone Villagrande is one of Etna's oldest and most storied estates, with roots going back to the 18th century. Located in Milo on Etna's cooler eastern flank, the estate has long championed Carricante as the definitive expression of this volcanic terroir, farming with a reverence for the mountain that shaped both the land and the family.

Winemaking Grapes are harvested from the Monte-Arso vineyard at high altitude on volcanic black soil, then vinified using the traditional champagne method. After primary fermentation, the wine ages 25 months on lees, developing extraordinary texture and depth. Dosage is kept at just 3 g/l, classifying it as Brut Nature - bone-dry and true to the terroir.

Country: Italy | Region: Etna, Sicily | Grapes: 100% Carricante | Style: Brut Nature / Zero Dosage

Tasting Note The nose opens with volcanic minerality, green apple, and white flowers, with subtle notes of brioche from the extended lees aging. On the palate it is razor-sharp and energetic, with bright citrus, saline tension, and a long, stony finish that lingers with the character of the mountain.

Primary Flavors: Green apple, citrus, volcanic mineral, white flowers, brioche

Food Pairing: Raw seafood, grilled fish, Sicilian antipasti, aged pecorino, risotto

Fun Fact: Carricante takes its name from the Italian word for "to load" - the grape is so naturally productive on Etna's eastern slopes that old-timers said it "loaded" the vines with fruit, making it the workhorse of the mountain.