Alessandro Viola’s Carricát is a natural white wine from Sicily, produced near Alcamo in the Trapani province. It’s a blend of Carricante (70%) and Catarratto (30%), two indigenous Sicilian grape varieties, grown organically on a 7-hectare estate at 220–400 meters altitude on limestone and clay soils. Viola, a Sicilian agronomist and oenologist, follows a minimalist, biodynamic-inspired philosophy, avoiding pesticides, herbicides, and chemical additives to let the grapes and terroir shine.

Key Details

• Vinification:

  • Grapes are hand-harvested and undergo a short 48-hour skin-contact maceration, adding texture without making it a full orange wine.

  • Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in stainless steel or fiberglass tanks.

  • Aged for 5–6 months in fiberglass tanks, unfiltered and unfined, with no added sulfites (zero/zero in some vintages, though minimal SO2, 10–20 mg/L, may be added at bottling in others).

• Tasting Notes:

  • Appearance: Pale gold with slight cloudiness due to lack of filtration.

  • Nose: Citrus (lemon, grapefruit), white flowers, yellow fruit (peach, apricot), and a saline, mineral sea-breeze quality.

  • Palate: Fresh, bright, and medium-bodied with vibrant acidity, subtle texture from skin contact, and a mineral finish. Notes of citrus juice, pear, and a hint of bitter almond.

• Alcohol Content: Typically 11–13% (e.g., 11% in 2022, 13% in 2023).

• Vintages: Commonly available from 2021–2023.

• Appellation: Terre Siciliane IGP.

• Food Pairings: Ideal with seafood (crudo, baked fish), shellfish, light vegetarian dishes, Mediterranean appetizers, or pasta with fish-based sauces. Its saline minerality complements briny flavors.