Gaudensius Blanc de Noir Etna Doc Brut Sicilian Sparkling Wine - Firriato

Gaudensius Blanc de Noir Etna DOC Spumante Brut Classic Method - Firriato

Since the early 1980s Salvatore Di Gaetano's enological passion has been attracted to a particular place, the Firriato district, in the extraordinary countryside of the city of Trapani, an agricultural area deeply marked by the cultivation of vines and the culture of wine, placed between the beautiful sea of ​​the Trapani coast and the majestic fortress of the ancient city of Erice.

Behind a great wine there is always a large wine-growing territory with characterizing soil and climatic conditions. All the Firriato farm estates have a particularity in terms of exposure, microclimate, soil composition and ventilation. From east to west, we pass from mountain viticulture on the Etna volcano, to that of the sea of ​​the Egadi islands on the island of Favignana, passing through the exclusive contexts of the Agro di Trapani. The company's philosophy focuses on everything: method, territory, pride and iron love. To present the excellence of Sicily and Sicilian wines to the world.

A perfect union created from vines that spread their roots in the volcanic terrain and mountainside climate that only Etna can offer. The famous, centuries-old Nerello Mascalese grapes are processed into a sparkling white wine, appealing in the glass and a true example of absolute style. The sparkling process is completed using the “blanc de noirs” method to bring out the sensory characteristics of the Nerello Mascalese grapes. After a light pressing of the grapes still attached to the stalks, vinification occurs inside the winery contained within the typical Etna baglio (old farmhouse) dating back to the 17th century. Gaudensius is a sparkling wine with a refined bead of continuous and persistent tiny bubbles, distinguished by colours with hints of luminous gold, and a complex flavour that is also of rare elegance.

Gaudensius Blanc de Noir Etna D.O.C. Brut sparkling wine Classic Method Firriato is produced from grapes of Nerello Mascalese sparkling in white in the Etna Cavanera cellar. The Etna terroir with its mesoclimate and its sandy soils of volcanic origin offers the ideal conditions for the breeding of Nerello Mascalese. This grape variety, endemic to the volcano, naturally gives itself to sparkling wine and the classic method of Firriato Gaudensius Blanc de Noir is a symbol of the eclecticism of this variety and of the qualities it brings. The combination of the soil and climatic characteristics of Etna, characterized by high temperature variations between day and night, by exposure to sunlight typical of the Mediterranean belt and by the richness of the soils, contribute to the development of grapes which are characterized by their intensity of aromas and aromatic finesse that are enhanced with sparkling wine.

CLASSIFICATION D.O.C. Etna
GRAPE VARIETY Nerello Mascalese
VINEYARD LOCATION North/northeastern slope of the countryside around Mt. Etna
ORIGIN OF THE GRAPES: Contrada Verzella, Contrada Imbischi, Contrada Feudo
EXPOSURE: North Eastern side of the Volcano (650 metres above sea level)
TYPE OF SOIL Sandy, with high drainage capacity
TRAINING SYSTEM Alberello Etneo
PLANTS PER HECTARE 3.500
YIELD (KG. PER HECTARE) 5.000 kg
HARVEST PERIOD Hand picked. End of September
VINIFICATION Soft pressing of whole grapes and fermentation at controlled temperature
PRODUCTION METHOD Second fermentation in bottle (classic method)
SECOND FERMENTATION TEMPERATURE 16 °C
AGEING In contact with the yeasts for over 32 months with frequent “Coup de poignet” to favor the complexity on the nose and palate
DOSAGE Brut
ALCOHOL 12.56 % vol. | PH: 3.07 (average) | TOTAL ACIDITY: 7.75 g/l (average) SUGARS: 6 g/l (average)
1ST YEAR PRODUCTION: 2009
PRODUCTION OF VINTAGE YEAR 18.000 bottles
FORMATS 75 cl and 1.5 L
SERVING TEMPERATURE 8°C

TASTING NOTES
Color: Pale straw yellow tending to bright gold.
Nose:Clear, very fine and complex, with prevailing scents of berries, crusty bread, aniseed and mineral hints.
Palate: Complex taste, well-bodied yet very fine. Lingering, sapid and mineral with a pleasant aftertaste of currants and almonds.
Perlage: Numerous bubbles, persistent, fine and elegant.
Characteristics: distinguished by a white, intense mousse and exuberant bead that make it a sparkling wine of rare intensity. The elegance of Mount Etna’s wines is faithfully interpreted by Gaudensius, which represents a unique and evolving land at the highest level.

Please note: Upon shipment of wine and spirits are carried ONLY in Italy.