Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Bianco 2024 750ml

Product Info

90pts Vinous Media
A whiff of lemon oil mixes with sweet mint and crushed rocks as the 2024 Etna Bianco opens in the glass. This is juicy and playful in feel with ripe melon and a cascade of inner florals that swirl throughout. It leaves a salty sensation and nuances of candied citrus on the wickedly fresh finish.  Drinking Window: 2025 - 2027

Leave it to Marco de Grazia of Tenuta delle Terre Nere to take what many consider a difficult, lower-quality vintage and turn out a lineup of wines that exceeded expectations—and left this taster in awe. Interestingly, when I asked many producers how they adapted their winemaking in a challenging year like 2023, the most common answer was: “We didn’t change anything.” That’s a disappointing reality at many estates, but not here. De Grazia described 2023 as the most difficult vintage he’s experienced on Etna. Spring rains totaling around 400 millimeters triggered a devastating outbreak of downy mildew, cutting yields by up to 70% on the northern slopes. The eastern side was largely spared, which helps explain the strength of Terre Nere’s whites. The wet spring gave way to a hot, drought-stricken summer, leading to thicker skins and uneven ripening, as many vines shut down under hydric stress. Fortunately, light rains in September and ideal conditions through October helped save the harvest. The team responded with intense selection in both vineyard and cellar, followed by shorter macerations and minimal pumpovers. The resulting 2023s in bottle are some of the most exotic, finessed and elegant wines Terre Nere has ever produced. They deliver immense pleasure, but in some cases, such as the San Lorenzo, they reach a new level of depth and texture. - By Eric Guido on May 2025

Terroir & Vineyard
Nestled on the slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily, the vineyards of Tenuta delle Terre Nere stretch across elevations from approximately 600 to 900 metres above sea level, on steep slopes of volcanic soils comprised of ash, lava fragments and pumice. The micro-climate is marked by dramatic diurnal temperature shifts and constant winds (“airiness”) that help maintain freshness and slow ripening, allowing the native white varietals—chiefly Carricante with smaller portions of Catarratto, Grecanico and Inzolia—to develop vibrant aromatics while retaining acidity and minerality. The vineyard soils are intensely volcanic, contributing not just drainage but a crystalline structure to the wines, and the vines include some old plantings which deepen the sense of place over time.

Winemaking & Craftsmanship
For the 2024 vintage the wine is crafted in a minimalist style that underscores its terroir. After hand-harvest from these high-altitude sites, the grapes undergo soft pressing and low‐temperature fermentation in stainless steel tanks, aiming to preserve freshness, purity and varietal character rather than overt oak influence. The finished wine is vibrant yet poised, with the producer noting that “with the spontaneous grace of a dancer, it never loses its brightness and pace.” The blend for this vintage is 70 % Carricante, 20 % Catarratto, 5 % Grecanico and 5 % Inzolia.

Tasting Profile
On pouring, the wine shows a pale straw hue with a subtle silvery cast, reflecting youth and vitality. The nose opens with lemon oil, fresh mint and crushed stone minerality, interwoven with hints of white blossoms and ripe melon—an aromatic invitation that is both playful and precise. On the palate the Etna Bianco 2024 delivers lively acidity and a refined texture: green apple and pear skin meet citrus peel (lime-zest) while a clear wave of saline minerality frames the mid-palate. The finish is crunchy, long and crisp, with candied citrus echoes and a smoky volcanic under-note that lingers.

Food Pairing & Serving Suggestions
Serve chilled to about 10-11 °C to highlight crisp acidity and minerality. This wine is an ideal partner to seafood — oysters or steamed mussels with a touch of sea-salt, grilled white fish with lemon and herbs, or a light shellfish risotto. It also works beautifully with white-meat dishes such as herb-roasted chicken or rabbit in a citrus sauce, and can stand up to vegetable-forward dishes like grilled asparagus or artichoke with a drizzle of lemon-olive oil. The wine’s bright acid and mineral edge make it especially food-friendly and versatile.