Little known native treasures from Italy’s single largest vineyard

A little light info to get us all started on Sicilia:

Regional Vineyard:

Total Vineyard Size

114,290 hectares | total regional vineyard including Quality wines, Table wines & Table grapes

Dedicated to Quality

12,834 hectares | dedicated to producing grapes for Quality wines.

Notable Cru/Zones:

Alcamo

Contea di Sclafani

Delia Nivolelli

Eloro

Erice

Etna*

Northern slopes gaining merited recognition – from Randazzo to Castiglione di Sicilia. Contrade of note – Chiappemacine, Feudo, Feudo di Mezzo, Guardiola, Porcaria, Santo Spirito, Sciara Nuova, Rampante, Zottorinotto. Eastern & Southern slopes also need to be checked out.

Faro

Lipari

Mamertino

Marsala *

More than just fortified wine country. Un-fortified, dry mono-varietals and sparkling wines now demonstrate the rediscovered potential of this Sicilian coastal region.

Menfi

Monreale

Noto*

As close to being the home of Nero d’Avola as you’ll find.

Pantelleria*

110km south west of Sicilia, it’s even closer to the coast of Tunisia. Renowned for its sweet white Passito wines from the native Zibibbo.

Salaparuta

Sciacca

Siracusa

Vittoria*

Home to Sicilia’s only DOCG – Cerasuolo di Vittoria – native blend of Nero D’Avola (50-70%) & Frappato (30-50%)

Wine Style/Quality:

% Red

42.1%

% White

57.9%

% DOP / IGP

Recent figures from 2013 estimated 3.1% of wines from Sicilia are produced according to EU DOP/PDO Quality standards. The region produces 24 DOP wines – 1 DOCG and 23 DOC wines. They also produce 6 IGP wines accounting for 57.8% of production. Table wines account for 24.9% of output.

SICILIA – NATIVE GRAPES

As always, a number of the regions native wine grape varieties are used only for blending purposes. That said, we’ve listed those NATIVE grapes which we understand are available as mono-varietals or which are interesting blenders. Naturally, as we make our own discovery, we’ll update these lists.

NATIVE REDS

ACITANA

CATANESE NERO

FRAPPATO*

Arianna Occhipinti and Cos are bringing this native back to table as an elegant rebellious red. Seek out the 100% for a memorable experience. Fresh, light ruby’s.

GALATENE

NERELLO CAPPUCCIO*

More colour, softer berry fruit, lower acidity and lighter tannins. Hence a happy blender with Nerello Mascalese. 100% varietal wines yield an easy going summer red picnic wine. Think of a Cab Franc.

NERELLO MASCALESE*

Popularity for this Sicilian native red is a rumbling. Low in colour intensity but high in structure. Fresh, tannic bounty that was tradiitonally blended with max 20% Nerello Cappuccio. Yet more often now it can be found in 100% varietal wines. Definitely one for your Hit List. Be adventurous.

NERO D’AVOLA

NOCERA

PERRICONE

TIGNOLINO

NATIVE WHITES

ALBANELLO

CARRICANTE*

The principal variety of Etna Bianco, blended traditionally with Catarratto & other white varieties. Shows huge potential as a 100% varietal wine. Crisp acidity, tasty mineral back bone. Light florals. Super structure. Winner alright.

CATARRATTO*

So far this native is produced in volume and used for Blends. Not to mention in some Marsala’s. Word has it, there’s quality potential if nurtured. We’ll see what we can find.

DAMASCHINO*

Open for use in Marsala blends. For mono-varietals we need to dig deeper.

GRILLO*

One to watch. The core of great Marsala, both un-fortified and fortified. Interesting mono-varietals are popping up. Not to mention a super Metodo Classico ‘Terza Via’ @MarcoDeBartoli

INZOLIA*

It turns up in Toscana as Ansonica but the DNA analysis gives it to Sicilia. It can also turn up in Marsala !

MALVASIA DI LIPARI*

This native could be from these Islands but then again it could be from Sardegna. Time to find out more.

MINELLA BIANCA

ZIBIBBO*

It’s also known as Moscato d’Alessandria / Muscat of Alexander. Yet on Pantelleria it seems to offer something in particular. Hmm?

It turns up in Toscana as a 100% Ansonica mono-varietal but the DNA analysis appears to give it to Sicilia, where it can also be found in Marsala blends.

This native could be from these Islands but then again it could be from Sardegna. Time to find out more.

It’s also known as Moscato d’Alessandria / Muscat of Alexander. Yet on Pantelleria it seems to offer something in particular. Hmm?

OUR STATSOURCES

ISTAT – Italy’s Istituto Nazionale delle Statistiche (Census 2010 / Vineyard Production Figures 2013)
AIS – The Association of Italian Sommeliers
‘I Numeri del Vino’ – Marco Baccaglio’s top Italian blog – lots of numbers :)
Wine Grapes – Robinson, Harding & Vouillamoz – lots of great grape stuff – BUY IT !
Native Wine Grapes of Italy – Ian D’Agata – extensive info – Highly recommend you purchase.
Lavinium – Italian wine, food & culture. Brilliant. Only in Italian. Great reason to learn Italian!! www.lavinium.com

vintage information

All data is intended to be for indicative purposes only due to the variability from vintage to vintage. But we do try to keep ourselves ‘reasonably’ updated :)