Grottafumata Terre Siciliane Lato Sud Bianco 2020 Front Bottle Shot
Grottafumata Terre Siciliane Lato Sud Bianco 2020 Front Bottle Shot Grottafumata Terre Siciliane Lato Sud Bianco 2020 Front Label

Winemaker Notes

One of the more dazzling whites to look at as it sits in the glass, this old-vine Carricante gets its luxurious golden hue from four days of skin contact, a traditional process on Etna that really brings out the distinctive scents of this special place. The lava stones that make up the soil, the direct sun beating down on steep blackened slopes at elevation, the wild herbs growing among the vineyard rows, and even the plume of smoke wafting from Etna’s summit . . . it’s all there, plus a ravishing dollop of wildflower honey to round things out.

Try not to serve it too cold—take a few minutes to admire its alluring color while it warms up in your glass if you must.

Professional Ratings

  • 91
    Spicy and floral, yet rich, the 2020 Bianco Lato Sud opens with an array of ground ginger, crushed almonds and stone dust complicating dried peaches. It's round and soothing upon entry yet quickly gains in zest. Tense, saline minerals and crisp acidity add a crunchy feel throughout as citrus-tinged orchard fruits settle upon the senses. This finishes with a tart twang of green apple and lemon rinds, leaving the mouth watering for more. The Lato Sud is a blend of 70% Carricante and 30% Catarratto.
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With hundreds of white grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended white wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used in white wine blends, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a variety that creates a soft and full-bodied white wine blend, like Chardonnay, would do well combined with one that is more fragrant and naturally high in acidity. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.

KMT20FGF02_2020 Item# 1135921