Wine from Sicily (368)

Sicilian Wine; Marsala, Nero d’Avola, bellissima!

With the Marsala dessert wine, Sicily gained high renown long ago - but times change. After the declining demand and the subsequent significant reduction in viticulture, the favorable location now seemed to only pamper olive oil and wheat. Only a new understanding of local strengths, seemingly endless investments, and an increased awareness of quality provided winemakers with new motivation, so that today, wine from Sicily is popular and sought after worldwide.

Wine from Sicily - from Marsala to Avola to Etna

The dark-berried grape variety Nero d’Avola stands like no other grape for the rise of the Mediterranean island. The powerful and well-structured red wine embodies the warmth, the winds, the temperament of Sicily. However, it is predominantly white wine that reaches us from southern Italy. With local grape varieties Grillo, Catarratto, and Fiano as well as imported Chardonnay and even Riesling vines, winemakers are achieving a wide variety of light, fizzy, and fresh white wines through state-of-the-art winery technology. 

Specialties such as Etna Rosso and red wines from the indigenous grape variety Nerello open up an even broader range of wine types from Sicily. Thanks to volcanic rock, the wines acquire a strong minerality. The powerful and long hours of sunshine are reflected in the world-famous Marsala liqueur wine, which has a wonderful sweetness and soft structure, making it an indispensable ingredient for and alongside dishes. 

Viticulture in Sicily has a lot to offer and even more to discover - not least thanks to the eventful history that has shaped the Mediterranean island into what it stands for today: diversity, enjoyment, world-class.

History of Viticulture in Sicily

Volcanic underwater activities and tectonic shifts mark the beginning of the history, as Sicily is also home to the slumbering Etna, which can produce a unique aroma in wine due to its volcanic rock. 

What followed were countless tribes and peoples, some promoting viticulture more, some less. The first records come from Phoenicians and Greeks, who distributed the local wine across the Mediterranean from the first trading centers in Sicily. Ancient Greek colonies such as Syracuse hint at a Greek origin for many grape varieties. The grape variety Grecanico sounds particularly Greek.

The tumultuous history divides further among various peoples and conquerors. While Romans and Phoenicians were inclined towards viticulture, Carthaginians, Arabs, and barbaric tribes from the north cared little for wine cultivation. Nevertheless, they shaped the economy of Sicily - Arabs strengthened the cultivation of olives and almonds. All agricultural products that still adorn the landscapes of Sicily today.

By the 1780s, the British had come to greatly appreciate the specialty Marsala. The sweet wine was surely not uninfluential in maintaining the high morale of Her Majesty's Royal Navy sailors. 

The Old Strengths Fade

The Marsala sweet wine from Sicily had claimed a lucrative market through the British Empire. However, this special status did not last - Marsala liqueur wine fell out of fashion. The sweet wine from Sicily is still enjoyed and used in Italian cuisine for meat dishes, but the taste of countless wine drinkers had changed. A fatal decline in viticulture on the Mediterranean island followed - winemakers simply failed to adapt to demand and create new structures. Only a few winemakers exported the wine, most remained in the hands of cooperatives that exported the wine only as cuvée partners to other regions.

A Rethink in Sicilian Viticulture

It is quite surprising why viticulture declined so much, as the island offers a unique terroir that provides ideal conditions for many grape varieties. This did not escape local winemakers and farmers in the 1980s. In a great hurrah, new vineyards sprang from the ground, and international top grape varieties were cultivated. Often with more mass than class in mind, cultivation boomed, but quality remained low. Only a return to local grape varieties, high quality requirements, and a reduction of cultivation area strengthened viticulture and put it back on the path to success. Significant investments were made, and innovative winemaking arose from dated techniques.

The New Sicily

Modern Sicily and its viticulture have made a name for themselves in the wine world thanks to the local terroir and the selection of top-class and native grape varieties. The indigenous grape varieties Frappato, Inzolia, Grillo, Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, and Catarratto are full of finesse and character. Not least, the strong Nero d’Avola has managed to keep Sicily's flag flying among the best red wines in Europe. Many high-quality wines are adorned not only with the label Sicilia but also with the IGT or DOC status. Absolute wine specialties like Le Sabbie dell’Etna Rosso from the grape varieties Nerello Cappuccio and Nerello Mascalese can be found in Sicily but are rarely available.

IGT Terre Siciliane and DOC Sicilia

The constant improvement in quality and the wine from Sicily in particular led, starting from the 2012 vintage, to the honor of its own DOC status. Thus, DOC Sicilia and IGT Terre Siciliane replaced the outdated Sicilia IGT. 

The quality level IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) includes the country wines, which, unlike in Germany, can indeed possess top qualities. A very large part of the cultivation areas and cellar work are carried out under the guidelines of IGT Terre Siciliane. The land offers various soils and conditions. Mountain ranges in the north, hills in the southwestern and central Sicily, an extensive plateau, and the volcanic substrate of Etna in the east.

The DOC Sicilia (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) was also introduced starting from the 2012 vintage and encompasses all wines from the island. Therefore, the top wines of Sicily can now identify themselves as genuine Sicilians. This way, wine lovers can see at first glance that wines from DOC Contea di Sclafani indeed come from DOC Sicilia Contea di Sclafani. Without this appendage, very few would know that it is a Sicilian wine. And thanks to the increasing reputation of the growing region, the DOC and DOCG wines from Sicily can only benefit from DOC Sicilia, even if strict guidelines and controls accompany this status.

DOC Growing Regions of Sicily

Marsala

Around the port city of Marsala, nestled in the west of the island, the Marsala DOC extends, which is mainly known for the famous dessert wine. Accordingly, nearly exclusively grape varieties that are approved for Marsala are cultivated according to DOC guidelines, including Nero d’Avola along with Grillo and Catarratto.

Menfi

With the DOC Menfi, the provinces of Agrigento and Trapani have a high-quality growing region that produces both white and red wines of the highest quality. Of course, only selected grape varieties may be used for the wines from DOC Menfi: Chardonnay, Grecanico, Sangiovese, and Nero d’Avola.

Alcamo

Also located in the west of the island, Alcamo is a DOC appellation not far from the city of Palermo. The Sicilian growing region has a lot to offer, from blended wine to varietal wine. These include, for example, Alcamo Rosso and Alcamo Rosato. For the former, at least 60% Nero d’Avola is required, and the Rosato also likes to use the dark grapes.

Faro

At the northeastern tip of Sicily lies the DOC growing region Faro, with the city of Messina as its center. Here, excellent wines with unique character are produced. The main focus is on the varieties Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. The high altitude and cool temperatures at night ensure an unparalleled freshness of the red wines from DOC Faro.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

The Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG wine, from the same-named growing region, has its own list of regulations, clearly describing grape varieties and harvest. It requires a proportion of between 50 and 70% Nero d’Avola, complemented by Frappato. The grapes for this grow from Ragusa to Catania in the south of the island. 

Eloro

Not far from Cerasuolo di Vittoria, the vineyards of the Eloro growing region stretch out, which are particularly known for rosé and red wines. Here, between Syracuse, Noto, and Ragusa, the grape varieties Pignatello, Frappato, and Nero d’Avola grow, which make up the majority of the almost varietal wines according to DOC regulations.

Etna

At the foot of the mighty Etna, the vines grow on mineral-rich volcanic soil. Especially the white grape varieties thrive under these conditions, above all the varieties Carricante, Catarratto Bianco, and Trebbiano. Regarding red wine, the most important variety is Nerello Mascalese, which must be 80% included in DOC wines from Etna.

Malvasia delle Lipari

The Lipari Islands north of Sicily are famous for the sweet white wine Malvasia, made from Malvasia di Sardegna and Korinthiaki. Thus, the DOC Malvasia delle Lipari holds a special position, as hardly any trace of the typical Sicilian grape varieties is cultivated. 

Buy Sicilian Wine Online

Sicilian wines are not only top-notch, they have also all found their way to our wine trading, whether by sea or land. Nero d’Avola red wines, Grillo white wines, wines from Etna, and other fresh, fruity, and sun-kissed drops from indigenous grapes. Order your Sicily package online and enjoy the diverse IGT Terre Siciliane DOC Sicilia wines from VINELLO. 

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