Sicily and its wines

The Sicily is one of the most important wine regions in Italy and the Mediterranean, with a winegrowing tradition going back to the time of the Phoenicians and the Greeks. Thanks to its geographical position, its volcanic soils and its warm, sunny climate, the island offers an extraordinary range of wines, from fresh and mineral whites to the structured, long-lived reds, through to the famous sweet and fortified wines.

The region is famous for native grape varieties such as Nero d’Avola, Grillo, Catarratto and Frappato, as well as for its DOC and DOCG wines, including the Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, the Marsala DOC and theEtna DOC, one of the most prestigious appellations in Italy.

What is the Sicily wine district?

Sicily is the largest wine region in Italy, with over 90.000 hectares of vineyards and a range that includes 19 DOCs, one DOCG and the Sicilia DOC, which safeguards the quality of the whole island. Its climatic conditions favour sustainable viticulture, with wines that express the authenticity and biodiversity of the area.

The main DOC and DOCG appellations include:

• Etna DOC → Elegant reds and whites from volcanic soils.
• Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG → Sicily's only DOCG, a blend of Nero d’Avola and Frappato.
• Marsala DOC → A historic fortified wine, made using an oxidative method.
• Sicilia DOC → An appellation that showcases native and international grape varieties.

The Great Wine Regions of Sicily

1. Western Sicily

• Trapani and Marsala → Marsala DOC, Grillo, Catarratto, Nero d’Avola.
• Agrigento → Production of red and white wines with great structure.

2. Eastern Sicily

• Etna → Nerello Mascalese and Carricante, volcanic wines of great elegance.
• Vittoria → Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, a fruity, spicy blend.

3. Central Sicily and the Minor Islands

• Pantelleria → Passito di Pantelleria, one of the finest sweet wines in Italy.
• The Aeolian Islands and Ustica → Malvasia delle Lipari DOC, aromatic and long-lived wines.

Characteristics of Sicilian Wines

Colour

• Reds: Intense ruby red with garnet reflections in the older wines.
• Whites: Straw yellow with greenish highlights in the fresh wines, golden in the passito wines.
• Sweet and fortified: Amber with coppery shades.

Aromas

• Fruity: Cherry, blackberry and figs in the reds; citrus and peach in the whites.
• Floral: Orange blossom, citrus blossom, jasmine.
• Spicy and Mineral: Black pepper, liquorice, volcanic notes in the wines of Etna.

Palate

• Fresh and Savoury: In the coastal whites and the volcanic wines.
• Structured and Complex: In the reds, with balanced tannins and great aromatic depth.
• Sweet and Enveloping: In the passito and fortified wines, with a balance of acidity and sugar.

Typical Grape Varieties of Sicily

Black Grape Varieties

• Nero d’Avola: The most important Sicilian red, structured and spicy.
• Frappato: Elegant and fruity, used in Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG.
• Nerello Mascalese: The king of Etna, fine and mineral.
• Perricone: Once widespread, today revived for wines with character.

White Grape Varieties

• Grillo: Aromatic and savoury, the base for Marsala and fresh whites.
• Catarratto: Versatile, mineral and with good acidity.
• Carricante: Typical of Etna, with marked acidity and longevity.
• Zibibbo (Moscato di Alessandria): Used for Passito di Pantelleria.

Why Choose a Wine from Sicily?

A wine from the Sicily is a byword for history, tradition and place. Perfect alongside Mediterranean cooking, fish, red meat and aged cheeses, Sicilian wines are a winemaking highlight appreciated all over the world.