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Sicily wine region
Photo: Daniel J. Schwarz on Unsplash
Volcanic and Mediterranean styles.
Vines grow in all 20 regions. Wines are classed DOCG, DOC and IGT.
Notable producers in Sicily
- Planeta
- Tasca d'Almerita
- Donnafugata
- Benanti
- COS
Official appellations
| Appellation | Status | Style | Grapes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cerasuolo di Vittoria (2005) Sicily's first DOCG, around the town of Vittoria in the island's south-east. A blend of 50-70% Nero d'Avola with Frappato, giving bright, cherry-scented reds; a Classico version comes from the historic core. | DOCG | Red | Nero d'Avola, Frappato |
| Sicilia (2011) Island-wide DOC: Nero d'Avola, Grillo and other natives. | DOC | White, Red | Nero d'Avola, Grillo, Catarratto, Frappato |
| Alcamo Catarratto-based whites in western Sicily. | DOC | White, Red | Catarratto, Nero d'Avola |
| Contea di Sclafani Inland DOC; home of Regaleali (Tasca d'Almerita). | DOC | White, Red | Nero d'Avola, Catarratto |
| Contessa Entellina Small DOC; Donnafugata's home estate. | DOC | White, Red | Ansonica, Nero d'Avola |
| Delia Nivolelli Near Marsala. | DOC | White, Red | Grillo, Nero d'Avola |
| Eloro South-eastern DOC; includes Pachino. | DOC | Red | Nero d'Avola |
| Erice Hills around Erice near Trapani. | DOC | White, Red | Grillo, Catarratto |
| Etna (1968) Volcanic, high-altitude Nerello Mascalese reds and Carricante whites, with contrade single sites. | DOC | Red, White, Rosé | Nerello Mascalese, Carricante |
| Faro Tiny DOC near Messina. | DOC | Red | Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Nocera |
| Malvasia delle Lipari Sweet passito Malvasia from the Aeolian Islands. | DOC | Sweet | Malvasia |
| Mamertino di Milazzo North-east DOC with ancient Roman roots. | DOC | White, Red | Nero d'Avola, Nocera, Grillo |
| Marsala (1969) Fortified wine from Trapani, from Fine to Vergine and Soleras. | DOC | Fortified | Grillo, Catarratto, Inzolia |
| Menfi South-west coast DOC. | DOC | White, Red | Chardonnay, Nero d'Avola |
| Monreale Hills behind Palermo. | DOC | White, Red | Catarratto, Perricone |
| Noto Nero d'Avola reds and Moscato di Noto. | DOC | Red, Sweet | Nero d'Avola, Moscato Bianco |
| Pantelleria (1971) Passito di Pantelleria: sweet Zibibbo from bush vines on a windswept island. | DOC | Sweet | Zibibbo |
| Riesi Inland Caltanissetta DOC. | DOC | White, Red | Nero d'Avola |
| Salaparuta Western DOC. | DOC | White, Red | Nero d'Avola, Catarratto |
| Sambuca di Sicilia Agrigento-province DOC. | DOC | White, Red | Ansonica, Nero d'Avola |
| Santa Margherita di Belice Small western DOC. | DOC | White, Red | Ansonica, Nero d'Avola |
| Sciacca South-west coast DOC. | DOC | White, Red | Nero d'Avola, Inzolia |
| Siracusa Includes Moscato di Siracusa. | DOC | Red, Sweet | Nero d'Avola, Moscato Bianco |
| Vittoria Frappato and Nero d'Avola from the Cerasuolo area. | DOC | Red | Frappato, Nero d'Avola |
Sicily wines to try
Planeta Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Sicily · Cerasuolo di Vittoria · Nero d'Avola, Frappato
Juicy and bright: red cherry, strawberry and gentle spice.
Food: Tuna, pasta alla Norma
Mandrarossa Zibibbo Secco
Sicily · Sicilia · Zibibbo (Muscat of Alexandria)
Dry, aromatic Sicilian Muscat: orange blossom and citrus.
Food: Spicy food, fish
Pianogrillo Curva Minore Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Sicily · Cerasuolo di Vittoria · Nero d'Avola, Frappato
Organic Sicilian blend: red berries and freshness.
Food: Tuna, pasta
Benanti Etna Bianco
Sicily · Etna · Carricante
Volcanic Carricante: lemon, green apple and aniseed with a flinty, saline finish.
Food: Swordfish, pasta alle sarde
More wine regions in Italy
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