# Susucaru Bianco (2024)

- **Producer:** Frank Cornelissen
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Catarratto, Carricante, Grecanico
- **Region:** Sicilia, Italy
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 11.5%
- **Average price:** €28
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** lemon, grapefruit, apple, peach, herbaceous, fennel

## About this wine

Frank Cornelissen established his estate in Solicchiata on the northern slopes of Mount Etna in 2001, becoming an iconic figure in low-intervention winemaking. Susucaru Bianco combines Catarratto sourced from Alcamo in western Sicily with high-elevation Carricante and Grecanico from Mount Etna. The name Susucaru originates from a Sicilian dialect exclamation meaning 'they stole it!', uttered when late-ripening grapes vanished from the vines. The wine is released under the IGP Terre Siciliane designation.

## Interesting facts

- The name Susucaru comes from Sicilian dialect meaning 'they stole it!', uttered when late-ripening grapes vanished.
- Frank Cornelissen uses zero oak, aging this cuvée entirely in neutral epoxy-lined tanks.
- This wine bridges western Sicilian Catarratto from Alcamo with high-altitude Etna volcanic varieties.

## Food pairing

The crisp, high acidity and mineral sapidity of Susucaru Bianco make it a natural match for raw seafood, light fish dishes, and citrus-forward Mediterranean flavors. Its unoaked, clean profile enhances delicate herbs and goat cheeses without masking subtle ingredients.

## Wine making process

Farming is organic with biodynamic principles. Grapes are hand-harvested, destemmed, and lightly crushed before initiating spontaneous fermentation via a pied-de-cuve with indigenous yeasts. A brief three-hour skin contact maceration occurs prior to pressing. The wine ages for approximately 10 months in neutral epoxy-lined tanks to preserve pure varietal and volcanic character without oak influence. Bottled unfined with light cartridge filtration and minimal added sulfur dioxide.