Notify me
2021 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata![- Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant](https://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/products/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-2021-Terre-Siciliane-emBiancoem-Lato-Sud-product-image-7960-medium.jpg)
A quick glance at Grottafumata’s website, Instagram, or the beautiful label on this bianco and you might wonder what this Mount Etna azienda does exactly. Interspersed among the images of vineyards and wine bottles are all kinds of celebrations of the local flora—flowering wild artichokes, olive trees, wild strawberries—and fauna: hawks, bees, ladybugs, etc. Mauro Cutuli and Mariangela Prestifilippo produce wine along the volcano’s steep inclines as part of a holistic farm dedicated to honoring and preserving the entire ecosystem, which allows them to craft outstanding, small-batch olive oil, honey, and jam as well as exquisite whites, like this beautifully smoky, textured, and golden Lato Sud.
—Tom Wolf
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2021 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 70% Carricante, 30% Catarratto, *Very small percentages of Minnella, Grecanico, Terribile, Inzolia, Coda di Volpe |
Appellation: | Terre Siciliane |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Sicily |
Producer: | Grottafumata |
Winemaker: | Mauro Cutuli |
Vineyard: | 1.4 ha total, 40-100 years |
Soil: | Volcanic |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 11% |
More from this Producer or Region
![2020 Vino Rosato “SuperLuna” Masseria del Pino](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/products/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-2020-Etna-Rosato-Super-Luna-product-image-6573-medium.jpg)
2020 Vino Rosato “SuperLuna”
Italy | Sicily
A rosé made via ancient methods from ashy soils high on Mount Etna.
![2019 Terre Siciliane Grenache “Vigna degli Architetti” Grottafumata](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/products/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-2019-Terre-Siciliane-Grenache-Vigna-degli-Architetti-product-image-6819-medium.jpg)
2019 Terre Siciliane Grenache “Vigna degli Architetti”
Italy | Sicily
Grottafumata’s first release from the “Vigna degli Architetti” delivers deep, ripe fruit with elegance and grace.
![2021 Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese “Lato Sud” Grottafumata](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/products/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-2021-Terre-Siciliane-Nerello-Mascalese-Lato-Sud-product-image-6984-medium.jpg)
2021 Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese “Lato Sud”
Italy | Sicily
Grottafumata means “smoky caves” and that's exactly what I think about when I swish this around. Grown in volcanic soils, it's a perfect balance between smoky tannins and Sicilian grapes.
![2020 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Spaccaforno” Riofavara](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/products/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-2020-Eloro-Nero-dAvola-Spaccaforno-product-image-8599-medium.jpg)
2020 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Spaccaforno”
Italy | Sicily
The Padova family’s Spaccaforno is generous but not heavy, with suggestions of blackberry, licorice, and spice leading to a lively, chalky finish.
![2021 Etna <i>Rosso</i> “Sciare Vive” Vigneti Vecchio](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/products/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-2021-Etna-iRossoi-Sciare-Vive-product-image-7031-medium.jpg)
2021 Etna Rosso “Sciare Vive”
Italy | Sicily
This red’s satiny texture allows it to gloss over the palate with utter delicacy, while suggestions of smoke, white pepper, and brandied cherries linger after each sip.
![2020 Terre Siciliane Carricante “Sciare Vive” Vigneti Vecchio](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/products/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-2020-Terre-Siciliane-Carricante-Sciare-Vive-product-image-5796-medium.jpg)
2020 Terre Siciliane Carricante “Sciare Vive”
Italy | Sicily
Aromas of wildflowers, saffron, beeswax, and Mediterranean herbs. Rich, fleshy, and focused, all at just 12% alcohol.
![2019 Terre Siciliane <em>Bianco</em> “Lato Sud” Grottafumata](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/products/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-2019-Terre-Siciliane-emBiancoem-Lato-Sud-product-image-5662-medium.jpg)
2019 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Italy | Sicily
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.
![2020 Etna <i>Rosso</i> “Crasà Contrada” Vigneti Vecchio](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/products/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-2020-Etna-iRossoi-Cras-Contrada-product-image-7907-medium.jpg)
2020 Etna Rosso “Crasà Contrada”
Italy | Sicily
You’ll find whiffs of both Burgundy and Barolo in this single-vineyard bottling from vines planted in 1930, but it is unmistakably Etna: smoky and suave.
![2022 Terre Siciliane <ei>Bianco</i> “Marzaiolo” Riofavara](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/products/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-2022-Terre-Siciliane-eiBiancoi-Marzaiolo-product-image-8598-medium.jpg)
2022 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Marzaiolo”
Italy | Sicily
September Club Chevalier ~ The Marzaiolo is a brilliant white bursting with sunshine, sea spray, and fresh-squeezed Sicilian lemons.
![2022 Olio Extravergine di Oliva Biologica Grottafumata](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/products/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-2022-Olio-Extravergine-di-Oliva-Biologica-product-image-7480-medium.jpg)
2022 Olio Extravergine di Oliva Biologica
Italy | Sicily
One of Sicily’s most coveted oils, perfumed with bright citrus, dried fruit, and herbs.
![Producer - Grottafumata](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/content_producers/1112-1-430013.jpg)
About The Producer
Grottafumata
Grottafumata means “smoky caves,” named for the caves formed by a nearby river that has eaten through the lava and the smoke from naturally occurring sulfur in the lava that steams up from the caves. Mauro and Mariangela have won many awards for their olive oil in Italy and we can see why. It is an incredible all-around oil—herbaceous and savory with a light touch and it tends to go well with everything.
Their wine project is on the opposite eastern slope of Mount Etna. The contrada where their vines are located is called Monte Ilice, situated between the towns of Trecastagni and Zafferana Etnea. Monte Ilice is an absolutely incredible slope, due east, that rises at least at a 45-degree angle, high on the slopes of Etna at 700 to 840 meters above sea level. Grottafumata works 1.4 hectares here, along with the help of the landowner who is in his eighties and still works the vines with his brother. Many of the vines are franchi di piede (planted on their own rootstock) and up to 100 years old.
About The Region
Sicily
Italy’s southernmost region and the largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily has no shortage of sunshine to grow high-quality grapes on a yearly basis. It also does not lack a history of winemaking: since the Greeks settled here almost three millennia ago, the vine has played a major role in the island’s agricultural makeup. Production of cheap bulk wine for blending dominated much of its recent history until now, as we are witnessing a quality revolution that puts forth its great diversity and quality of terroirs, indigenous grape varieties, and local production methods.
While Sicily’s historical reputation is for sweet wines—Marsala and the Muscats of Pantelleria stand out—a number of dry whites and reds are enjoying the spotlight today. The cooler, high-altitude slopes of Etna, with its ashy volcanic soils, have seen an explosion of activity from producers both local and foreign; both whites (primarily from Carricante) and reds (Nerello Mascalese) here are capable of uncommon freshness and finesse. Other noteworthy wine regions are Eloro, where Nero d’Avola gives its best; Noto, an oasis of dry and sweet Moscatos; Vittoria, with its supple, perfumed Frappatos; and Salina, where Malvasia makes thirst-quenching dry whites and deliciously succulent passiti.
Countless foreign invasions over the centuries have given Sicilian architecture and cuisine a unique exotic twist, making it a fascinating destination for gourmands as well as wine importers. With a wealth of dedicated artisans proud to show off the riches of their land, you can bet there are many exciting things still to come from this incredible island.
More from Sicily or Italy
2020 Spumante Ancestrale
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2019 Terre Siciliane Grenache “Vigna degli Architetti”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2020 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Spaccaforno”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2019 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Sciavè”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2022 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Marzaiolo”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2020 Vittoria Frappato
Portelli | Sicily
2022 Salina Malvasia “Verticale”
Vignedimare Italy | Sicily
2019 Vino Rosso “I nove fratelli”
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2022 Sicilia Noto Bianco “Mizzica”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2021 Etna Rosso “Crasà Contrada”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2021 Etna Rosso “Sciare Vive”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2019 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2020 Spumante Ancestrale
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2019 Terre Siciliane Grenache “Vigna degli Architetti”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2020 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Spaccaforno”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2019 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Sciavè”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2022 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Marzaiolo”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2020 Vittoria Frappato
Portelli | Sicily
2022 Salina Malvasia “Verticale”
Vignedimare Italy | Sicily
2019 Vino Rosso “I nove fratelli”
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2022 Sicilia Noto Bianco “Mizzica”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2021 Etna Rosso “Crasà Contrada”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2021 Etna Rosso “Sciare Vive”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2019 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
Kermit once said...
![Inspiring Thirst](http://s3.amazonaws.com/efcheckout/kermitlynch/content/Kermit-Lynch-Wine-Merchant-Kermit-once-said-image_img_1-13430-medium.jpeg)
Kermit once said...
I want you to realize once and for all: Even the winemaker does not know what aging is going to do to a new vintage; Robert Parker does not know; I do not know. We all make educated (hopefully) guesses about what the future will bring, but guesses they are. And one of the pleasures of a wine cellar is the opportunity it provides for you to witness the evolution of your various selections. Living wines have ups and downs just as people do, periods of glory and dog days, too. If wine did not remind me of real life, I would not care about it so much.
Inspiring Thirst, page 171