The Wine Reference🍷 SupportGrillo grape
Grillo is a white grape known for citrus, peach, herbs. Its best-known homes are Sicily.
Origin and history
A Sicilian crossing of Catarratto and Muscat of Alexandria (Zibibbo), confirmed by DNA; it is believed to have been bred in the late 19th century.
Where it grows
Western Sicily, especially Trapani and the Marsala zone; widely bottled under Sicilia DOC, Alcamo and Marsala.
Structure
Medium to full body, medium-plus acidity and ample alcohol; usually dry, with some textural weight.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: lemon, grapefruit, white peach, fennel and fresh herbs. With age: honey, almond, dried apricot and saline nuttiness.
Ageing
Dry table wines best within 1–4 years; fortified Marsala made from it can last for decades.
Also known as
Riddu, Rossese Bianco (Sicily).
Good to know
Grillo's high sugar and alcohol made it the prized grape for fine Marsala, the fortified wine first popularised by the English merchant John Woodhouse in 1773.
Wine regions for Grillo
Similar white grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
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