There is no question the Gaja family have never been ones to swim with the current, not simply to be seen as modernisers or to stand out from the crowd but to challenge the established norms in anattempt to produce the best wine possible.

In a region synonymous for quality red wine production originating from the North facing slopes of Mont Etna (Nerello Mascalese), Gaja decided to purchase both an existing vineyard and plant a new separate site on the less publicised South slopes. All of these new plantings are Carricante, a white variety.

80% of currently plantings on Etna are Nerello, so the fact that most of IDDA production will be white made from Carricante and from south facing slopes is very unorthodox. But so was planting Chardonnay in Barbaresco classified sites...

100% Carricante. Post picking a small parcel is left overnight on skins before pressing. 50% fermented in tank, 50% in barrel of which is a combination of 1000 ltr seasoned French oak and 5000ltr Austrian Stockingerbarrels. Part of the wine goes through malolactic.

So why is it not classified Etna Bianco DOP?

The first vineyard Gaja purchased is in Biancavilla and lies within in the Etna DOP boundaries and does have some old vine Carricante planted. However the second vineyard in Belpasso (where the IDDA winery has beenbuilt) is exclusively planted with Carricante but sits just outside the border of the Etna DOP. IDDA Bianco is ablend of these two vineyards. Gaja always had the plan to plant here so the wine has been labelled Bianca Sicilia since inception.

“The 2022 Bianco pleases on many levels, wafting up with an unexpected fruit richness, combining young peach and apricot with white flowers and almond paste. It's round and soothing, yet with a stunning mix of candied lime and saline minerals up front that adds contrast. Sweet inner florals complement ripe pit fruits.

The 2022 cleans up beautifully, long and with a salty flair, as it tapers off crunchy, full of tension, yet mouth-watering all the same” – 93 points – Vinous