Frank Cornelissen "Susucaru" Bianco Terre Siciliane IGP 2024

Fresh, lively, and full of Mediterranean character, Susucaru Bianco is a bright, approachable white with a pale straw-yellow hue. Expect citrus zest, fresh orchard fruit and delicate herbal notes, balanced by crisp acidity and a distinctly savory, saline minerality. Light on its feet but full of personality, it delivers a clean, refreshing finish that makes it equally suited to an aperitif or a place at the table.

This blend brings together 40% Catarratto Extra Lucido from Alcamo in western Sicily, with 30% Carricante and 30% Grecanico Dorato from Mount Etna. The grapes are destemmed and lightly crushed, with a brief three-hour maceration to lend subtle texture and character. Fermentation begins with a pied de cuve using indigenous yeasts and the wine ages for around ten months in neutral epoxy vessels, preserving its freshness and varietal expression. Made without fining and filtered before bottling, it reflects a restrained approach designed to deliver a lighter-bodied white with distinctive character and sapidity.

Frank Cornelissen established his estate on Mount Etna in 2001, becoming one of the defining figures of Italy’s natural wine movement through his meticulous vineyard work and low-intervention philosophy. Although best known for wines that express the wild, volcanic character of Etna, Cornelissen developed Susucaru Bianco through the Patos project in 2021, alongside Norwegian musician Sondre Lerche and importer Jørgen Ljøstad. Built around Catarratto from Alcamo, the project explores a more traditional, accessible style of Sicilian white wine without sacrificing personality or a sense of place. The result is a vibrant, food-friendly bottle that showcases another side of Cornelissen’s winemaking vision.

Working primarily in the volcano’s northern valley, Cornelissen has become one of Italy’s most recognized natural winemakers. His vineyards feature traditional alberello bush-vine training alongside both old and younger plantings and his winemaking relies on minimal additions, with sulfur used sparingly when necessary. Susucaru is among his most approachable bottlings, offering an accessible introduction to the wild, volcanic character of Etna. Its name, meaning “they stole it all,” is a fitting nod to a wine that rarely stays on the shelf for long.