With Sicily representing Italy’s largest wine region by acreage, perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that interest in Sicilian wine continues to flourish. But this isn’t just a question of size. There’s an increasing focus amongst wine producers on quality and, alongside this, a growing appreciation of the distinctive flavours of Sicily’s native grapes. From the bold Nero d’Avola to the elegant wines of Etna and the renowned Marsala, this content aims to take you on a journey through some of the best Sicilian wines.
The history of Sicily’s winemaking goes back thousands of years. Wild grapes pre-dated the island’s early Phoenician settlements but they were the first to cultivate the vine. Subsequently, wine production continued under the Greeks and Romans and, following a period of decline through Byzantine, north African and Arab rule, re-emerged and indeed thrived between the 13th and 18th centuries. After a decline in the late 19th century due to a phylloxera infection, production bounced back in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Today, there are just under 8,000 wine growers in Sicily, with more organically farmed grapes grown here than anywhere else in Italy: around a third of the 100,000 or so hectares of vineyards are organic.
What makes Sicilian wine so special
The variety and number of exceptional Sicilian wines continues to rise, now including 23 DOC’s, around 7% of the total number in Italy. The jewel in the crown is Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Sicily’s only DOCG wine, produced in southeast Sicily.
But what also makes it special is that learning about the island’s wine production offers a superb opportunity to delve deeper into the island: as well as posing a giant cultural and historical step back in time, Sicilian wine is inextricably linked to the island’s geographical landscape. Its climate, volcanic terroir and seas all play their part in producing a range of incredibly diverse wines, with new and exciting players constantly emerging throughout the island.
Enotourism in Sicily
Perhaps predictably, this winning combination of tradition, heritage and dynamic progress is increasingly positioning the island as a leading destination for wine tours and experiences, with enotourism in Sicily taking many and various forms. Wine trails designed to introduce the wines of Etna and Marsala, visiting historic cellars, and participating in local harvest festivals such as Milo’s ViniMilo or Marsala’s Wine Harvest Festival are all popular. Alternatively, if you’re interested in immersive experiences, plan your trip to coincide with autumn harvest when you can join in grape-picking and wine-pressing.
Which are the top Sicilian wines
But with such an extensive choice of truly world-class wines, decision-making can prove problematic. These are some of Sicily’s best wines.
Sicilian Red wine
Nero d’Avola, which produces dark, fruited wine is the most widely planted grape, and one of the best Sicilian red wines. Nerello Mascalese and Frappato, which are often used in blends, are also popular. Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG combines a blend of Nero d’Avola and Frappato. Watch out also for Etna Rosso (a blend of Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio) and from the Messina area, Faro DOC and Mamertino DOC.
Sicilian White wine
Top Sicilian white wines include Etna Bianco, largely based on Carricante, and often blended with Trebbiano and Catarratto, Sicily’s most planted white grape. Grillo is another popular choice.
Sparkling wine
Wines from the slopes of Mount Etna also feature highly amongst the list of top sparkling Sicilian wines, with Etna Spumante DOC leading the way. Sicilia DOC Spumante is a good affordable alternative produced across the island.
Dessert wine (Sicilian sweet wines)
Sicily’s sun-drenched slopes and ancient traditions are together responsible for some superb Sicilian dessert wines. Top slot goes to Passito di Pantelleria DOC, produced from sun-dried grapes on Pantelleria, while the volcanic Aeolian islands of Salina and Lipari are famed for Malvasia delle Lipari DOC. In the west of the island, the area around Marsala has produced the historic, fortified wine since the 18th century.
Pairing Sicilian food and wine
While your choice of wine may depend partly on where you are on the island, what you’re eating will also play its part in delivering a pleasing Sicilian wine and food pairing.
Meat and fish
Nerello Mascalese, a red Etna wine, and full-bodied Nero d’Avola are the perfect accompaniment to grilled lamb and sword fish, or the traditional aubergine-based ‘pasta alla Norma’ and ‘parmigiana di melanzane’. White Etna wines such as Carricante pair well with the seafood dishes – fried anchovies, grilled calamari – you’re more likely to encounter on the coast.
Cheese
Generally, bold reds, such as Nero d’Avola, go well with strong sheep’s cheeses such as a Sicilian pecorino, while a lighter red such as Frappato is the perfect accompaniment to a cow’s milk Ragusano DOP. Another option is to contrast sweet wines such as Passito di Pantelleria with a salty aged pecorino. A light, floral Inzolia is wonderful paired with a milder, creamy ricotta.
Desserts
Popular desserts such as cannoli and cassata tend to be creamy and fairly rich and it’s common to pair these with sweet, fortified wines such as Passito di Pantelleria and Malvasia delle Lipari. Light, almond-based pastries are more commonly served with an aromatic Moscato.
Best wine holidays in Sicily
So what are the best ways of incorporating wine-based experiences into your holiday? Choose from a selection of informative wine tours in Sicily where you can learn about the wine-making process and enjoy a lunch paired with some of the top local wines.
Or perhaps you’re more attracted simply by the idea of waking up each morning amidst the tranquillity of the Sicilian countryside, in which case an elegant restored baglio with vineyard views would be perfect. But if you want to explore Sicilian wine in more depth, think about staying in a villa on the slopes of Mount Etna where a whole range of wine experiences is literally right on your doorstep.
