Gaudensius Blanc de Noir
⏳ Drinking Window
2021 - 2025
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
seafood risotto, smoked salmon, roasted poultry
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the high-altitude, volcanic slopes of Mount Etna, Firriato's Gaudensius Blanc de Noir is a remarkable testament to Sicilian viticulture. Crafted at the Cavanera estate, where ancient vines dig deep into dark, mineral-rich volcanic sands, this Metodo Classico sparkling wine is made entirely from Nerello Mascalese, a noble red grape native to the volcano. Vinified as a white wine (Blanc de Noirs) and aged on its lees for at least 32 months in the cool depths of the estate's cellars, it captures the raw energy and tension of Etna. The wine tells a story of fire and ice, balancing the intense solar energy of Sicily with the alpine-like freshness of high-elevation viticulture, resulting in a sparkling wine of exceptional complexity, vibrant acidity, and a distinct flinty minerality.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1984 by Salvatore Di Gaetano and his wife Vinizia Novara, Firriato is one of Sicily's premier wine producers, widely acclaimed for championing the island's viticultural renaissance. The estate spans remarkably diverse terroirs across Sicily, ranging from the sun-drenched vineyards of the Trapani countryside and the maritime climate of the island of Favignana to the high-altitude volcanic slopes of Mount Etna. Deeply committed to certified organic farming and sustainability, Firriato focuses on preserving authentic biodiversity by cultivating native Sicilian varieties such as Nero d'Avola, Nerello Mascalese, and Grillo, alongside select international grapes. Their dynamic portfolio captures the distinct character of each microclimate through celebrated flagship wines like Harmonium, Ribeca, and the Etna-sourced Cavanera collection.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Nerello Mascalese
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
12% - 12.5%