Sicily is Italy's largest, hottest, and driest region. Consequently, the island produces agricultural goods in abundance-including fruit, artichokes, eggplant, and olives-and boasts one of the most richly diverse cuisines in the country. Sicily has long been known for its white wines, but the reds are undoubtedly gaining speed. Catarratto defines the white wine scene in Sicily: 60 percent of the island is planted with the varietal. Inzolia, another local grape, is blended with Catarratto to make Alcamo DOC wine. Catarratto lends body and Inzolia infuses a fruity, aromatic quality. But the real interest these days is in the deep, dark reds-especially those made from Nero D'Avola, whether it is sampled alone or blended with other varietals such as Merlot, Cabernet, and, most often, Syrah. Wines made of 100 percent Nero D'Avola are rich, well structured, and saturated with the flavor of black cherry fruit. It is blended mainly to create international interest and to establish itself more prevalently in the minds of consumers. Red wine grapes crave dry conditions, heat, and light. Because these qualities are innate to the Sicilian climate, which is often compared to that of Australia, we like to think of Sicily as Italy's "down under." Just like Nero D'Avola, the Australian Syrah grape loves heat and exhibits qualities so similar to its Sicilian counterpart that it has prompted people to speculate whether the grape in fact disseminated from Sicily. For centuries, Sicilian winemakers had focused on mass production and the cultivation of grapes for blending purposes. However, due to the recent collapse of the long-held co-op system, dramatic changes have occurred. Technological advancement, coupled with private investments, has made Sicily the region to watch.Back to Regions

Adesso

Red Wine:

GRAPE: Nero D' Avola

REGION: Sicilia

COLOR: Intense Red

TASTE: From Castelvetrano, in the extreme south-west of Sicily comes this Nero D' Avola which is strictly hand picked in September and aged in 100% stainless steel. Fermentation of the must with long maceration at controlled temperature, malolactic fermentation and 6 to 8 months aging in stainless steel. An intense red filled with ripe fruit flavors of mulberry, plum with tobacco notes complemented by a medium/full body, and a soft, yet persistent, finish. Excellent with pizza, sharp/full-fat cheeses, hearty dishes with tomato sauce as well as roasts and all savory meals.

Donna Di Coppe

White Wine:

GRAPE: Catarrato 40% and Grillo 60%

REGION: Sicilia

COLOR: Straw Yellow

TASTE: Located in the heart of Sicily, near the famed town of Gibellina, the Tenute Schiro` winery blends rich viticultural tradition with modern wine making techniques. This full bodied white, aged 4 months in barrique, shows a fruit driven bouquet with bright citrus fruit flavors and a pleasurable, persistent finish.

GRAPE: 100% Grillo

REGION: Sicilia

COLOR: Straw

AROMA: Persistent and intense.

FRUIT FLAVOR/MOUTH FEEL: Intense persistent aromas lead to flavors of apricot, honey and dried figs, followed by a warm and harmonious finish. Best served with fruit flans and hard cheeses.

STRUCTURE/BODY: Medium/full-bodied.

FINISH: Dry & persistent.

MENU PAIRING: Best served with fruit flans and hard cheeses.

Red Wine:

GRAPE: Nero

REGION: Sicilia

COLOR: Deep ruby Red

TASTE: This wine is produced near the famed town of Gibellina, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1968 and then, commemorated by the artist Alberto Burri who covered the town in brilliant white concrete. An intense red filled with concentrated red berry fruit flavors, complemented by a medium/full body, and a dry, persistent finish. Great with a variety of dishes, from poultry and pork to red meat and aged cheeses.

GRAPE: 100% Nero D'Avola

REGION: Sicilia

COLOR: Deep ruby Red

AROMA: Persistent with a vivid mature, dark berry fruit scent.

FRUIT FLAVOR/MOUTH FEEL: Rich, well structured, and saturated with the flavor of black cherry fruit. Dry, balanced.

STRUCTURE/BODY: Medium/full-bodied.

FINISH: Dry & persistent.

MENU PAIRING: Great with a variety of dishes, from poultry and pork to red meat and aged cheeses.

GRAPE: Merlot 60% and Cabernet 40%

REGION: Sicilia

COLOR: Intense Ruby Red

TASTE: Located in the heart of Sicily, near the famed town of Gibellina, the Tenute Schiro` winery blends rich viticultural tradition with modern wine making techniques. This full-bodied red is interlaced with spice and dark berry fruit flavors followed by a balanced, persistent finish. Excellent with meat based dishes and ripe, rich cheeses.

GRAPE: Syrah 70% and Nero 30%

REGION: Sicilia

COLOR: Deep ruby Red

TASTE: Located in the heart of Sicily, near the famed town of Gibellina, the Tenute Schiro` winery blends rich viticultural tradition with modern wine making technique. This powerful red undergoes fermentation in thermal regulated stainless steel tanks and further refinement in barrique for six months, creating concentrated red berry fruit flavors, a full body, followed by a dry, persistent finish. Excellent with meat based dishes and ripe, rich cheeses.

GRAPE: 100% Nero

REGION: Sicilia

COLOR: Deep ruby Red

AROMA: Persistent with a vivid mature, dark berry fruit scent.

FRUIT FLAVOR/MOUTH FEEL: Rich, well structured, and saturated with the flavor of black cherry fruit. Dry, balanced.

STRUCTURE/BODY: Medium/full-bodied.

FINISH: Dry & persistent.

MENU PAIRING: Great with a variety of dishes, from poultry and pork to red meat and aged cheeses.

Romolo Buccellato

Red Wine:

GRAPE: Calabrese and Frappato

REGION: Sicilia

COLOR: Ruby Red

TASTE: Basically the Chianti of Sicily, this wine comes from the south/west corner near the township of Vittoria. Bright cherries and other light berry fruit are omnipresent with a medium body and spicy finish. Aged two years in the barrel and one year in the bottle, this wine is able to complement foods that are usually associated with white wines (poultry, pork, seafood), as well as tomato based dishes. One of the best pizza wines.

GRAPE: Nero

REGION: Sicilia

COLOR: Deep Cherry Red

TASTE: An easy drinking, “new world style,” red from the area of Avola in the south/eastern corner of Sicily. Filled with black cherry jam, medium/full body, and a smooth finish, this simple wine is one of the great values coming out of Southern Italy. A third generation wine maker, Romolo has successfully forged a bridge between tradition and modernization. Great with a large variety of dishes, including all meats, pastas, and pizza.