Wine-growing region of Sicily

Sicily has long been considered a wine-growing region in which mostly very simple bulk wines and cask wines were produced. In the meantime, however, the wine-growing region of Sicily is one of the most dynamic wine-growing regions in all of Italy. More and more winegrowers are using the potential of the region and are increasingly producing quality wines.

Wine-growing region and area under vines

The wine-growing region in Sicily consists of almost 130,000 hectares of vineyards, making it the largest wine-growing region in Italy. About 64% of this is used for the cultivation of white grapes. Sicily has only one DOCG zone so far, but more than 20 DOC areas, most of which are largely unknown. The local winegrowers are currently working steadily on expanding the DOC areas in order to get even more quality in their wines.

There are two different labels for wines that come from the wine-growing region of Sicily:

• Sicilia

  This label makes clear the origin of a wine from the wine-growing region of Sicily.

• Terre Siciliane

  This addition can be found on the IGT wines.

Location and climatic conditions in Sicily

The Mediterranean island is characterized by a Mediterranean climate dominated by hot and very dry summers and low rainfall. These climatic conditions are the perfect prerequisite for the cultivation of red grapes. It is all the more exciting that predominantly white grape varieties grow in the wine-growing region of Sicily. The reason for this is that this is where most of the Marsala was produced for a long time. This is a light dessert wine, reminiscent of port or sherry, which dominates wine production in Sicily.

Important grape varieties of the region

The following grape varieties belong to the important white grape varieties:

• Cattaratto

  The grape variety Catarratto or Cattaratto Bianco is the main component of the Marsala dessert wine. It is grown almost exclusively in Sicily. While Marsala production continues to decline, winemakers today are trying to break new ground with this grape. This grape variety now produces rather dry and fruity white wines.

• Grillo

  The Grilla grape variety used to be mainly used to produce Marsala dessert wine. The dry white wines that are made from the grapes today impress with their citrus notes. When blended, the Grillo results in successful cuvées with Catarratto and Chardonnay.

• Grecanico

  Greciano is an ancient white grape variety from Sicily. It is very neutral and tastes primarily fruity.

The red varieties such as the Nero D'Avola are used more for the production of very simple wines. Slightly chilled, a red wine made from the Nero D'Avola grape is also a pleasure in summer. Other red grape varieties from the Sicily wine-growing region are Perricone, Frappato, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

Nerello Mascalese is one of the most important red grape varieties in the region and one of the vines that are most commonly grown in Sicily. It is almost a synonym for the entire wine-growing region. It is a late-ripening variety that is often processed into a good table wine either as a single variety or in a blend. It ripens at higher altitudes, often not until late October or early November. The berries are comparatively very large with thin, firm skins and few color pigments.