Profile

Structure

Bodylight
Tanninlow
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Oaknone or neutral

Drinking window

Best 2 to 6 years from vintage.

vintage2 yrs6 yrs8 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating above is our own.

In the glass

Light-bodiedLow tanninHigh acidityDryCrisp, Clean, Mineral finish

Aroma: lemon blossom, white peach, herbs, mineral

Palate: citrus, green apple, saline, clean mineral

Cottanera's entry-level Etna Bianco: fresh, mineral and approachable, Carricante and Catarratto delivering the clean volcanic freshness of the north slope.

What it pairs with

With cheese

Ragusano Our pick The consortium's page on use suggests Etna Bianco as its example of a Sicilian white for Ragusano. Its citrus and saline minerality lift the sweet young cheese and answer the almond note the consortium finds in long-aged wheels.

How to serve Cottanera Barbazzale Bianco

Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
  2. Serve at 8-10°C. Cellar temperature (8-10°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a smaller all-purpose white glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Grilled calamari with lemon, Bruschetta with tomato and olive oil, Fritto misto di pesce. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Cottanera's Barbazzale Bianco (named for the estate's main location, Contrada Barbazzale, which borders the estate's primary vineyard) provides an accessible entry into Etna white wines, drawing on Carricante and Catarratto from the north slope.

  1. 2005First Barbazzale Bianco vintage introduced to the Cottanera range

Facts

Producer
Cottanera · visiting guide
Grapes
Carricante (70%), Catarratto (30%)
Classification
Etna Bianco DOC
Oak
Stainless steel
ABV
13.0%
Price
€18-28 at retail
Drinking window
2-6 from vintage
First vintage
2005

Frequently asked about Cottanera Barbazzale Bianco

What does Cottanera Barbazzale Bianco taste like?

On the nose, lemon blossom, white peach, herbs, mineral. On the palate, citrus, green apple, saline, clean mineral. Structurally light-bodied, low tannins, high acidity with a crisp, clean, mineral finish. Cottanera's entry-level Etna Bianco: fresh, mineral and approachable, Carricante and Catarratto delivering the clean volcanic freshness of the north slope.

When should I drink Cottanera Barbazzale Bianco?

Drink 2-6 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Cottanera Barbazzale Bianco?

Grilled calamari with lemon is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Bruschetta with tomato and olive oil and Fritto misto di pesce. Fresh acidity and light mineral character are ideal with simply grilled squid.

What grapes are in Cottanera Barbazzale Bianco?

The blend is Carricante (70%), Catarratto (30%). The wine is classified as Etna Bianco DOC.

Tags

carricante catarratto dry high acid light body medium term mood easygoing mood refreshing occasion aperitivo occasion summer occasion weeknight old world pairs with aperitif pairs with shellfish pairs with white fish price trade up still white value pick

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