This week, we find ourselves gravitating toward all things our Sicilian producer @palmentocostanzoetnawine . Not only are the wines incredibly charming, and this family passionate about what they do, but they are immersed in what has developed as Siciliy's Contrada system, describing much like France's cru system, the places on Mount Etna that give birth to deeply expressive wines. A little redux here. There are 133 officially recognized contrade on the volcano. Some are quite expansive, others more intimate. Palmento Costanzo grows grapes in three contrade: Santo Spirito, Cavaliere, and Feudo di Mezzo. The two red varieties they grow, Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio, and the two white Carricante and Cataratto, are co-planted. But this is for their older blocks which can have vines more than 100 years old. Going forward in the contrade, any new plantings will focus on a single specific variety. Palmento Costanzo is located close to the volcanic eruption of 1879 which lasted from May 26 to June 6 of that year. The winery is about 650-800 meters above sea level, and the three contrade they farm have varied soils bringing forward a diverse set of textures and flavors in the wines. Palmento Costanzo makes some beautiful red and white wines from all three of these contrade. Santo Spirito holds a special place at the azienda. But one of our favorites is Cavaliere, a multifaceted parcel on the southwestern slope of Mount Etna, and part of the village Santa Maria Licodia. The elevation is quite high and the feeling of the place is rather luminous. It's a mountain climate, less rainy than the other slopes of Mount Etna, with high winds and bright sun, and a significant diurnal range. The soil is sandy, volcanic and rich in calcium and minerals; its fine-grained, structural and complex, and very fertile. Cavaliere tells a distinct story of the farthest vineyard area from the Ionian Sea, making wines of enchanting harmony, and their Bianco from this contrada is no execption. Only exeptional. #palmento #palmentocostanzawines #artisanalcellars #mountetna #etnawine #sicily #sicilianwine #contrada #italianwhitewine