Sicilia

Regional detail

Location

The football on the toe of Italy's boot, more of a still white producer than a red producer despite market consumer demand and until recently around 150,000 Ha under vine – a production of almost double Australia's (The Eu's extirpation programme has changed that – th victim being being mostly old alberello vines). VQPRD wines represent a tiny proportion of this production. This has a very ancient agricultural tradition, being a "bread basket" long before the Romans eliminated the Carthaginians and Greek Tyrants.

Climate

Mediterranean, very sunny and low rainfall. In 2000, it did not rain all growing season. Long, warm autuns and high humidity from the surrounding sea.

Topography

Mountainous, causing a varity of dfferent microclimates

Soils

Very mixed, ranging from volcanic in the east around Etrna, Calareous and clay to Sandy around the many kilometres of coastline.

Average annual production

Average annual production: 6.715.000 HL but on the decrease
Sicilia Placeholder
Sicilia

Grapes

Ansonica

Description

Aka Insolia. Native Sicilian planted throughout the island. Most diffuse sub-variety Verde Cappuccia – a medium – early ripener, adding softness and flavour to a white blend. Also found along the Tuscan coast known as Ansonica, becoming ever more popular in Sicily. Gives a mediu bodied wine of salty fruit.

Principle Wines

Contea di Sclafani, Contessa Entellina, Menfi, Sambuca di Sicilia, Santa Margherita di Belice, Marsala
Barbera

Description

See Piedmont

Principle Wines

See Piedmont
Carricante

Description

Native white of Etna … now quite rare – some 50 hectares. Grown on Etna's slopes it can have high levels of both tartaric and malic acidity and hence ther malolactic is encouraged. However, without the malolactic wines have the ability to age well over ten years, developing smokey overtones.

Principle Wines

Etna Bianco
Catarratto

Description

A ancient native white of Sicily with unknown origins but long enough here to produce 2 sub-varities: Catarratto Bianco Commune and Catarratto Bianco Lucido. Both are productive but the former more so.

Principle Wines

Alcamo, Menfi, Marsala
Damaschino

Description

A white variety and a minor in the Marsala mix, some say of Arab origin (from Damascus).

Principle Wines

Marsala
Frappato

Description

Unknown origin but first identified some 300 or so years ago in the Vittoria area of Southern Sicily. It may have some relation with Calabria's Gaglioppo. Tends to produce wines of juicy fruit, some earthy characteristics but quite restrained. Better to be blended as with the wine it is famous for – Sicily's only DOCG – Cerasuolo di Vittoria. Famous among growers for being difficult to harvest because of uneven ripening.

Principle Wines

Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Grecanico Dorato

Description

Also in Sicily (as well as Umbria) this white variety has claim to be related to Garganega. Orinally of Greek origin, first introduced to Sicliy and then spreading through the peninsular up to the Veneto. Although of good potential in quality terms its diffusion in Sicily is surprisingly limited (mostly to the west).

Principle Wines

Contessa Entellina
Grillo

Description

2 opinions on origins of this white grape: introduced by the Phoenicians or only recently. Some even suggesting it is of Puglian origin. Once used for Marsala production (now mainly Catarratto), now a still wine favourite due to ability of sugar production and interesting aromatics, and, if picked in August, underpinning acidity.

Principle Wines

Contessa Entellina, Alcamo
Insolia

Description

Aka Ansonica. Native Sicilian planted throughout the island. Most diffuse sub-variety Verde Cappuccia – a medium – early ripener, adding softness and flavour to a white blend. Also found along the Tuscan coast known as Ansonica, becoming ever more popular in Sicily.

Principle Wines

Contessa Entellina, Alcamo, Menfi
Malvasia

Description

Great confusion abounds with the origins and identity of this grape. Malvasia is a catch all name for a group of varieties whose scions perhaps originiated in the same Greek locality (the Peloponnesian port of Monemvasia). In truth, the Venetians in the middle ages transported various wines, sweet, dry, aromatic and not under the general name Malvasia – perhaps the reason for the disparity. However, here it has found its home on an island midway between the mainland and Sicily – Lipari and makes an outstanding passito and vino Liquoroso.

Principle Wines

Malvasia delle lipari
Nerello Mascalese

Description

Named after the plain of Mascali at Etna's foot and known locally as niureddu mascalisi and grows up to 1000 m (v high for a red grape!) on the slopes of Etna. A late ripener (around October) this is mostly found in the North East of Sicily. It is capable of making very high quality Pinot Noiresque style wines. However, when grown to high volume in other parts of Sicily this quality is unrecognisable – leading to the assumption that it is the terrior of Etna rather than the grape that has quality?

Principle Wines

Etna Rosso, Faro
Perricone

Description

This red grape is grown mainly in the west of Sicily and has a bitter taste but good extraction of colour. AKA Pignatello. Used mainly in blends, but decreasing volumes.

Principle Wines

Eloro, Contea di Sclafani
Sangiovese

Description

See Tuscany

Principle Wines

See Tuscany
Trebbiano Toscano

Description

See Tuscany

Principle Wines

See Tuscany

Major Appellations DOCG/DOC

Alcamo or Bianco d'Alcamo DOC (a multi DOC*)

Description

A breathtakingly beautiful area between Palermo and Trapani, hilly, rugged and wild. Rosso – a blend of above grapes Bianco – a blend of above grapes Varietal – Ansonica/ Inzolia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero d'Avola, Catarratto, Chardonnay, Grecanico, Grillo, Merlot, Sauvignon, Syrah

Principle Wines

Catarratto Bianco Commune, Catarratto Bianco Lucido, Grecanico, Ansonica (Inzolia), Grillo, Chardonnay, Muller Thurgau, Sauvignon, Nerello Mascalese, Nero d'Avola, Sangiovese,Frappato, Perricone, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah
Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG

Description

One of sicily's most prestigious and ancient wines, hence the only Sicilian wine to have DOCG status. The vineyard area is on the southern shores of Sicily to the east, around the historic town of Ragusa. The blend gives a wine that is not only juicy but also very mineral and unique in the Italian wine offering.

Principle Wines

Nero d'Avola, Frappato
Contessa Entellina DOC (a multi DOC*)

Description

Rosso – a blend of above grapes Bianco – a blend of above grapes Varietal – Ansonica, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, Grecanico, Merlot. A DOC that is fairly typical for Sicily, unfortunately: a name that means very little and DOC rules that do not promote the local land compared to other areas of Sicily which happens to be in the central western area.

Principle Wines

Catarratto Bianco Lucido, Grecanico Dorato, Ansonica (Inzolia), Grillo, Chardonnay, Muller Thurgau and/or Sauvignon, Nero d'Avola, Syrah
Eloro DOC (a multi DOC*)

Description

Carricante, Catarratto Bianco Comune + Lucido, Trebbiano Minnella Bianca, Nerello Mascalese, Nerello mantellato (aka Nerello cappuccino)

Principle Wines

The volcanico is the most majestic of backdrops for these classy wines. The drama of the place is astounding when one visits: snowcapped with a plume of smoke surrounded by vineyards (not on the western slopes) which have been overlane with layers of lava, some alarming recent …. One of the most awesome winegrowing areas to visit in the world. The wines, when they are good, are almost Burgundian in character; the reds silky tannins, heady perfumes and the whites can be aged for well over a decade. Rosso – Nerello Mascalese, Nerello mantellato (aka Nerello cappuccino) Bianco – Carriacante, mostly.
Etna DOC (a multi DOC*)

Description

Carricante, Catarratto Bianco Comune + Lucido, Trebbiano Minnella Bianca, Nerello Mascalese, Nerello mantellato (aka Nerello cappuccino)

Principle Wines

The volcanico is the most majestic of backdrops for these classy wines. The drama of the place is astounding when one visits: snowcapped with a plume of smoke surrounded by vineyards (not on the western slopes) which have been overlane with layers of lava, some alarming recent …. One of the most awesome winegrowing areas to visit in the world. The wines, when they are good, are almost Burgundian in character; the reds silky tannins, heady perfumes and the whites can be aged for well over a decade. Rosso – Nerello Mascalese, Nerello mantellato (aka Nerello cappuccino) Bianco – Carriacante, mostly.
Faro DOC

Description

A blend of the above red grapes whose vineyards overlook the straits of Messina in the northeast corner of Sicily. Once, not so long ago, a huge exporter of wine to Bordeaux and Burgundy, Faro is making a come back for the wines of Messina.

Principle Wines

Nerello Mascalese, Nocera, Nerello Cappuccio, Calabrese, Gaglioppo, Sangiovese
Malvasia delle Lipari DOC

Description

The Lipari Islands are a volcanic archipelago to the east of the Sicilian "mainland". This sweet wine, made in tiny quanitites, has a long history in Italian enological legend. It can be made as a lower alcohol, passito or liquoroso version but it is always sweet.

Principle Wines

Malvasia Bianca, small additions of Corinto Nero
Marsala DOC

Description

Italy's answer to the Portuguese dominance of fortified wines, famously put on the map by various Englishmen such as John Woodhouse, Benjamin Ingham and Horatio Nelson no less. Commercial decline however has seen the quality decline and also its position in the market. The French surprising are a large importer – for cooking. There are essentially 2 colours: Ambro or Rubino and different legths of ageing: fine, superiore, stravecchio which can also be a solera.

Principle Wines

Grillo, Catarratto, Ansonica, Damaschino, Perricone, Calabrese, Nerello mascalese
Menfi DOC (a multi DOC*)

Description

On Sicily’s south coast, Menfi has a well documented ancient tradition of winemaking. Recently it has been the centre of uch innovation on the Island. Rosso – Blends of the above Bianco – Blends of the above Varietal – Ansonica (Inzolia), Grecanico, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero d'Avola, Syrah, Sangiovese Bonera - Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero d'Avola, Syrah, Sangiovese Feudo dei Fiori - Ansonica (Inzolia), Grecanico, Chardonnay

Principle Wines

Catarratto Bianco Lucido, Grecanico, Ansonica (Inzolia), Grillo, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero d'Avola, Syrah
Moscato Passito di Pantelleria DOC

Description

As above but only in the passito version

Principle Wines

Zibibbo (aka Moscato)
Moscato di Pantelleria DOC

Description

In natural or passito versions this possibly the best known of Italy's prestigious dessert wines made on the Island of Pantelleria between Sicily and Tunisia.

Principle Wines

Zibibbo (aka Moscato d'Alessandria)

Other Appellations DOCG/DOC

Contea di Sclafani DOC (a multi DOC*)

Principle Wines

Catarratto Bianco Commune, Catarratto Bianco Lucido, Grecanico, Ansonica (Inzolia), Grillo, Chardonnay, Catarratto, Nerello Mascalese, Nero d'Avola, Perricone
Delia Nivolelli DOC (a multi DOC*)

Principle Wines

Catarratto Bianco Lucido, Grecanico Dorato, Ansonica (Inzolia), Grillo, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Nero d'Avola, Syrah, Sangiovese
Erice DOC (a multi DOC*)

Principle Wines

Catarratto Bianco Commune, Catarratto Bianco Lucido, Grecanico, Ansonica (Inzolia), Grillo, Chardonnay, Muller Thurgau, Sauvignon, Nerello Mascalese, Nero d'Avola, Sangiovese, Frappato, Perricone, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah.
Mamertino di Milazzo DOC (a multi DOC*)

Principle Wines

Nerello Mascalese, Nocera, Nerello Cappuccio, Calabrese, Grillo, Insolia.
Monreale DOC (a multi DOC*)

Principle Wines

Nerello Mascalese, Nocera, Nerello Cappuccio, Calabrese, Perricone, Grillo, Insolia
Moscato di Noto DOC

Principle Wines

Moscato (aka Moscato Giallo)
Moscato di Siracusa DOC

Principle Wines

Moscato Bianco
Riesi DOC (a multi DOC*)

Principle Wines

Nerello Mascalese, Nocera, Caberbet Sauvignon, Calabrese, Grillo, Insolia
Salaparuta DOC (a multi DOC*)

Principle Wines

Moscato Bianco
Sambuca di Sicilia DOC (a multi DOC*)

Principle Wines

Cabernet Sauvigon, Grecanico, Chardonnay, Grillo, Insolia, Merlot, Nero d'Avola, Syrah, Sangiovese, Merlot
Santa Margherita di Belice DOC (a multi DOC*)

Principle Wines

Grecanico, Grillo, Insolia, Nero d'Avola, Sangiovese
Sciacca DOC (a multi DOC*)

Principle Wines

Cabernet Sauvigon, Grecanico, Chardonnay, Grillo, Insolia, Merlot, Nero d'Avola, Syrah, Sangiovese, Merlot
Vittoria DOC (a multi DOC*)

Principle Wines

Calabrese, Frappato, Nero d'Avola, Insolia

IGT Appellations

Camarro
Colli Ericini
Fontanarossa di Cerda
Salemi
Salina
Sicilia
Valle Belice