Mount Etna was our destination for our first full day in Sicily and we headed north from Siracusa towards Catania and round to the north side of the volcano. It is a lovely drive through various towns and villages and you get a clear sense of the elevation as we reached 900 metres and the mix of terrain is a joy to behold with barren old lava flows that have the earth mixed with an abundance of Yellow Broom flowers or Ginestra as it is known.
We were visiting Planeta – one of Sicily’s top wineries. Situated in a beautiful location looking down onto the valley, Planeta have restored an old winery in a truly authentic manner, retaining the dry stone walls and maintaining much of the old formation vessels and old wooden press.
Miriam hosted our visit with great aplomb and talked us through Planeta history, different terroir and the unique position that the vineyards have and the influence of the volcanic soils on the styles of wine produced.
Heading into the tasting room, we enjoyed a wonderful tasting of three vintages of their Carricante/Riesling 1614 Eruzione white (2019, 2017 & 2015) and three vintages of their Nerello Mascalese of the same label. (2016, 2014 & 2010). This was a magnificent opportunity to see how these wines aged and varied due to vintage variation. A delicious tasting of three olive oils ensued and then lunch was ready!
Delicious crostini, courgette pasta, salamis, cheese, panzanella and a fruit tart. All washed down with their Metodo Classico Brut and Cerasuola di Vittoria DOCG red. A super day!
