Minnella is an obscure, light-skinned variety grown exclusively on the volcanic soils of the Mt Etna on the Italian island of Sicily. It is mainly grown in bush-vines and in tiny quantities, with its level of production being a fraction of that of Carricante, the dominant white grape of the region.
Minella wines have an exotic aroma of tropical, yellow fruits with cinnamon and anise, and an excellent acidity that keeps the wines focused and fresh on the palate. As the variety is not permitted in the Etna DOC, wines are released under the generic Sicily IGT. Producers such as Benanti are acting as caretakers for the vines’ survival, although their varietal Minella is still as scarce as it is great.
Related varieties include: Carricante.
Food matches include:
Europe: Sicilian style sardine and broccoli pasta
Australasia/Oceania: Smoked Tasmanian ocean trout salad
