It’s my brother’s birthday this weekend, and he’s an Italophile, so I have to go with an Italian wine. Noe e cosi male; in effetti, no puoi sbagliare con il vino italiano! I’m going with an Etna Bianco from the Etna DOC, a region aptly named for its proximity to Mount Etna. The rich volcanic soil there is home to the Carricante grape, which is what’s predominantly used for an Etna Bianco wine. What does it taste like? The wine has lovely, lingering notes of floral, citrus, and a distinct minerality from the volcanic soil (though not at all smoky). It’s bright and acidic while beautifully balanced. And it pairs perfectly with the best food of summer: seafood. Buon compleanno, fratello. Alla tua salute e felicita. (Pictured is the Tenuta di Fessina Erse, but your local wine store may not have it. Whatever they have will be a fine substitute.)
