Sicilian Wines Rock
Sicily counts more vineyards than any other Italian region and boasts one of Italy’s most progressive wine industries. Noted mainly in the past for strong bulk wines and often sweet Moscato and Marsala, the island has switched its emphasis toward lighter, fruitier white and red wines. Sicily is divided into three main wine producing districts: Trapani province in the west, Etna in the east and Ragusa on the southern tip. Sicily was considered a bulk wine producer up to ten years ago, but things have changed a great deal in the last few years.
Great Sicilian wines
- Nero D’Avola
This is the classic Sicilian wine: ruby red in color with intense aromas of vanilla and spice. On the palate it is bursting with bright cherry fruit, balanced acidity and exotic spices. It is produced in the southeastern side of the island, but also in the Palermo province where Duca di Salaparuta is located. - Cerasuolo di Vittoria
This wine is made from 100% Nero d’Avola grapes grown 1,600 feet above sea level. The grapes are fermented for 18 days in temperature controlled, stainless steel tanks and then aged for 4 months in Allier barrique. The wine is ruby red in color with intense aromas of vanilla and spice. On the palate it is bursting with bright cherry flavor, balanced acidity and exotic spices. - Etna Rosso
Made from Nerello Mascalese (80%) and Nerello Capuccio (20%), the resulting wine is a pleasant surprise to the palate. Etna Rosso wine combines a rich and warm bouquet with hints of spice and green bell pepper on the nose. In the mouth it is medium-bodied, with a smooth texture, ripe fruit, soft tannins, mild acidity, and a surprisingly long finish. - Etna Bianco
This wine is made from the Carricante and Cataratto grapes as well as varieties from Milo. Straw-yellow with green reflexes in color, Etna Bianco wine possesses a fruity aroma and fresh taste. - Bianco D’Alcamo
This wine is produced from white catarratto grapes (up to 80%) and damaschino, grecanico, and trebbiano (up to 20%). It is considered the classic Sicilian white; it is fruity on the palate and has a straw-yellow color with greenish highlights. - Passito
The wine is made from the must of very well ripened grapes, to which naturally dried grapes from the sunny and windy climate of Pantelleria are added. Fermentation at controlled temperature lasts until the end of October. - Marsala
Produced from the Grillo, Inzolia, and Catarratto white grapes among others, Marsala wine is characterized by its intense amber color and its complex aroma that shows hints of strong alcohol flavor. Marsala wines are classified according to their characteristics and the duration of their aging. - Malvasia
Made from 85% Malvasia grapes, this sweet wine is made with techniques that have changed little over the centuries. The grapes are gathered when they are extremely ripe. The wine is amber-gold in color with an unusually alcoholic content.
Some Sicilian Wine Producers
Planeta; Cusumano; Tasca d’Almerita; Tenuta di Donnafugata; Feudo Principi di Butera (Zonin); Morgante; Duca di Salaparuta; Benanti; Palari; Firriato; Marco De Batoli; Salvatore Murana.
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