GAJA IDDA CARICANTE BIANCO SICILIA 2023

IDDA CARRICANTE BIANCO SICILIA DOP 2023

Style
A striking volcanic white wine born from the partnership between Gaja and Graci on the southern slopes of Mount Etna. Named "Idda", the Sicilian dialect word meaning "She"—the affectionate name locals give to Mount Etna—this wine is a pure expression of Carricante, combining mountain freshness, volcanic minerality, and Mediterranean character.

Region
Sicilia DOP, Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy

Grape Variety
100% Carricante

Tasting Profile

Nose
Elegant aromas of lemon zest, grapefruit, orange blossom, ripe peach, nectarine and apricot are beautifully intertwined with jasmine, fresh Mediterranean herbs and a distinctive volcanic minerality. As the wine opens, subtle notes of thyme, mint and flint add further complexity.

Palate
Bright, vibrant and beautifully textured. Juicy citrus and stone fruit flavours are complemented by lively acidity and a saline, mineral backbone that reflects the volcanic soils of Etna. The wine possesses remarkable precision and energy, with a refined texture that balances freshness with gentle richness.

Structure

• Body: Medium-bodied
• Acidity: Crisp, vibrant and beautifully integrated
• Texture: Silky with a refined mineral tension
• Oak: Fermented and matured partly in large oak casks and partly in stainless steel, preserving both freshness and complexity.

Finish
Long, savoury and persistent, with lingering citrus, white flowers, crushed stone and a beautifully saline mineral finish that is the hallmark of great Etna whites.

Summary

IDDA Bianco is one of Sicily's most exciting modern white wines. Combining the vision of Angelo Gaja with Alberto Graci's intimate knowledge of Etna's unique terroir, it showcases the extraordinary potential of Carricante. Elegant, precise and deeply expressive of its volcanic origins, it is already considered one of Italy's benchmark white wines.

Vintage Notes

The 2023 growing season was generally warm and dry, producing fruit of excellent concentration while retaining freshness thanks to the high-altitude vineyards of Biancavilla and Belpasso. Careful vineyard management and gentle vinification resulted in a wine with exceptional aromatic purity, vibrant acidity and outstanding mineral definition.

Drinking Window

Drink: 2025–2035

Although wonderfully expressive in its youth, IDDA Bianco has the structure and acidity to develop greater complexity over the next decade.

Food Pairing

A magnificent companion to Mediterranean cuisine, pairing beautifully with:

• Sicilian red prawns
• Grilled lobster with lemon butter
• Seared scallops
• Tuna carpaccio
• Truffle pasta
• Swordfish with capers
• Risotto with seafood
• Roast chicken with herbs
• Burrata and heirloom tomatoes

Serving Temperature: 10–12°C

Decant: Optional; 15–20 minutes in the glass allows the wine's full aromatic complexity to emerge.

Critical Acclaim

• 94 Points – Antonio Galloni (Vinous)
• 93 Points – Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
• 92 Points – James Suckling
• 92 Points – Wine Spectator