Sicily

Buy Sicilian wines

Sun-drenched Sicily, at the foot of the famous boot, offers an excellent climate for some of the finest wines. Large, ultramodern wineries coexist with small, traditional winemakers. The healthy grapes enhance the warm island's reputation. "The black of Avola," as the Italians call the Nero d'Avola grape, is by far the island's most famous grape variety. Another speciality is the white Catarratto grape, found only in Sicily.

Quality wine growing in Sicily

Warm summers alternate with mild winters, making the classic Mediterranean climate ideal for growing grapes. The warm and dry climate makes mold virtually impossible, especially in areas benefiting from cool sea breezes. In this almost perfect location, Sicilians have been making wine since 4000 BC. The island boasts the largest vineyards in all of Italy, with 140,000 hectares, and 75 percent of the vineyards are managed by cooperatives. However, individual producers are also increasingly focusing on producing quality wine. Important DOCs in Sicily include Etna, Faro, and Marsala. The only DOCG is Cerasuolo di Vittoria, made from the Frappato grape.

Wines from Etna

Vineyards have been found on the slopes of the still-active Mount Etna for centuries. The typical grape varieties on these slopes are Nerello Mascalese for red wines and Carricante for whites. Etna's volcanic soil is rich in numerous minerals, limestone, sand, and rock, which positively influences the wines' unique characteristics. Etna wines are exceptionally diverse, with finesse similar to those of Burgundy and Barolo. A prime example is the Lavico Nerello Mascalese from the Duca di Salaparuta winery. The vines for this wine are deeply rooted in Etna's volcanic soil. The result is an elegant red wine that beautifully reflects the land's origins and the volcano.

Famous Sicilian wines

Once upon a time, the island's most famous wine was undoubtedly the Marsala dessert wine. These days, the aforementioned Nero d'Avola is a common wine that has gained in quality. For example, Nero d'Avola plays a starring role in the Cerasuolo di Vittoria wine from the Santa Tresa winery. This cherry-red wine is full-bodied and has the excellent structure for which this grape variety is known. The Donnafugata winery is also a major player on the island. This renowned family winery uses another common grape variety, Frappato, in their Bell'Assai. This grape is often used in blends, but for this red wine, Frappato takes center stage. A well-balanced wine with a fantastic explosion of flavors.

Sicilian wine region booming

The Sicilian wine region is flourishing and growing in popularity. It distinguishes itself from the rest of Italy in many ways. The grapes remain healthy, and the climate prevents mold. And although 85 percent of the production is bulk wine, it thankfully still leaves plenty of delicious wines for connoisseurs. Thanks to the unique soil structures and the special DOCs, high-quality wines originate from this beautiful island.