Sicilian Wine, a world to discover
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea; its 10,000 square miles are dotted with picturesque villages and thriving vineyards. Wine here is unique, the food is hearty, and the people are warm.
Sicilian winemakers make a lot of wine, over 50 million cases a year, and thereās a reason for that, the weather is perfect, and the winemaking traditions go back thousands of years. Read on to learn about Sicilian wine and see what youāve been missing.
The grapes
Sicily has a set of unique grapes, many of them only grown on the island.Ā The most prominent white grapes areĀ Grillo,Ā Catarratto,Ā GrecanicoĀ andĀ Inzolia.
Each one with its a unique personality. Flowery, citrus aromas and a fresh acidic backbone make theĀ Sicilian whitesĀ something special.Ā Try theĀ Terre Siciliane Grillo IGT, from Pianogrillo, to taste one of the best ambassadors for the category.
The red grapes are dominated by the nobleĀ Nero dāAvola, known for its robust, inky, and spicy wines. Along withĀ Frappato, the internationalĀ SyrahĀ and local specialities likeĀ NerelloMascalese, SicilianĀ red wineĀ is coveted around the world.Ā Enjoy theĀ Terre Siciliane Nero dāAvola IGT āOtto/Ottoāto see how intensely rich the Sicilian reds can be.Ā
The wines
The grapes are important, but so is the hand of man and the land. There are many wines in the locality, protected by law either with a regionalĀ IGTĀ or aĀ DOC, with the highest quality standards.Ā Varietal wines are excellent entry-level bottles, suitable for daily enjoyment; other wines are suitable for celebrations and the most memorable occasions.Ā
The Cerasuolo de Vittoria, for example, holds the highest level of Italian wine law; itās the only DOCG in Sicily. The deep-hued pink wine is fresh, fruity, and elegant. Get yourself a bottle ofĀ Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG āCurva MinoreāĀ or theĀ Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG āMaskariaāĀ for perfect examples of the style.
The active Etna volcano is an impressive sight. It has the highest elevation vineyards in Sicily. Here, daredevil producers make the most subtle,Ā elegant winesĀ with grapes found nowhere else.
The reds, made withĀ Nerello MascaleseĀ andĀ Nerello Capuccio, are compared frequently withĀ Burgundian Pinot Noir. The wines are exquisitely smooth and velvety.Ā Try theĀ Etna Rosso DOC āTenuta San Micheleā by MurgoĀ to see what all the hype is about in the region.
Hidden treasures
Although Sicilian wine is made in all colours and styles, there are stillĀ regional specialitiesĀ hard to classify. Some wines are real treasures waiting to be found, wines with no comparison that you should check out.
The high lands at the foothills of the Etna volcano have distinctly cool weather, ideal for growing acidic grapes. In the right hands, these grapes turn intoĀ sparkling winesĀ produced in the classic champenoise method.Ā These wines are of great value and are as complex and enjoyable as any sparkling wine made in Europe. Try theĀ Murgo Spumante Metodo Classico BrutĀ and see it for yourself.Ā
Lipari is a small volcanic island thirty kilometres north of Sicily.
Few people know that from this rugged piece of land comes some of the most excitingĀ sweet winesĀ in Italy: the Malvasia del Lipari.
Like the sweet wines made in the southern island Pantelleria, Malvasia is an impressive dessert wine perfect for the most delightful moments. Try theĀ Malvasia delle Lipari Passito from Salvatore DāAmicoand fall in love with this wine style.
Sicily has an extensive wine portfolio; this is just the tip of the iceberg. People here love their wine. With the perfect Mediterranean climate and some of the most passionate people in the country, weāll be seeing more and more Sicilian wine in restaurant wine lists and on the shelves.Ā
Enjoy Sicilian wine and let yourself be charmed!