Sicily is one of the most exciting wine regions in Italy at the moment. A movement of small independent growers seeking to explore low intervention wines as well as the pioneering approach of areas like Etna is making Sicily a respected wine-making territory.
Long considered the poor relation of [Italian](/country/italy) winemaking, the engine room for hot and fruity table wines or bland liquid for bulk export (who buys it I don't know), Sicily has since revolutionised its reputation and is now a source of interesting territories, grapes and wines. The island is still one the biggest producers of non-bottled wine, but there are now more than enough quality focused wineries for Sicily to be taken seriously as one of [Italy's](/country/italy) top wine producing regions. Just off the mainland of [Italy](/country/italy), Sicily benefits from a Mediterranean climate which as we well know, provides perfect grape growing conditions. The potential for lots of heat mean certain varieties do better than others, and the wines made here are undoubtedly warm climate styles, yet that doesn't mean there is no room for terroir. Far from it. There are over twenty DOC wines all given status for their unique micro climates and potential to produce village level subtleties. One of course has to bare the Italian propensity to play politics in some of these areas but even so, there is lots to explore and discover. On an international scale the most important grape is the red [Nero d'Avola](/nero-davola). It is grown across the island and produces bold, fruit forward wines that range from very good to absolutely dreadful. In terms of geography, [Etna](/appellation/etna-doc) has been the runaway success story on the East of the island. It's ethereal red wines made with [Nerello Mascalese](/nerello-mascalese) on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna have capitalised on the long standing understanding of vineyard sites and in recent years exploded into a buzzing scene of great wines and continued investment. White wines from [Carricante](/carricante) can also be exceptional here offering exotic, stone fruit character and crisp mineral complexity. There are gloriously sweet wines made in the *passito* style on both sides of the island. In the south east Moscato vineyards around the towns of Noto and Siracusa make very good dessert wines while on [Pantelleria](/appellation/pantelleria-doc), just off the western coast, a more internationally recognised DOC is producing world class stickies that boast hedonistic marmalade and apricot driven wines (also from Moscato) from very old bush vines that hug the windswept vinous outpost.
Alcamo DOC in the north west of Sicily is known primarily for its white wines from Catarratto. Despite its potential, few wineries seem keen to invest here.
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Cerasuolo di Vittoria is the only DOCG wine in Sicily. A blend of Nero d'Avola and Frappato grown around the town of Vittoria, the wine is named after its cherry red c...
Read more ▸Also referred to Valledolmo–Contea di Sclafani DOC, the area produces red wines from Nero d'avila and white wines from Catarrato.
Read more ▸Very small Sicilian DOC known predominantly for Azienda Agricola Donnafugata's flagship red, Mille e una Notte.
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The small Sicilian appellation of Erice DOC produces a range of red and white wines from both local and international varieties. The best whites come from Catarratto and
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Arguably Sicily's most important wine region, the volcanic soils of the Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano, provide the perfect terroir for incredibly complex wines from both the red
Read more ▸Although close to disappearing a decade or so ago, Faro DOC represents a high potential wine making area. Located close to Messina in the North East of Sicily, it gives red wines made with ...
Read more ▸One of Sicily's important island wines, Lipari has become known for its excellent expressions of the Malvasia di Lipari grape.
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Marsala is a world famous fortified wine originating from vineyards around the west coast city of Marsala.
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Menfi DOC is a large Sicilian wine appellation producing red, white and rose wines, as well as sparkling and passito wines.
Read more ▸Monreale covers the territory to the west of Palermo on the island of Sicily. Monreale DOC 'rosso' wines must be made with at least 50% Nero d'Avola and if blended up to 50%
Read more ▸Noto DOC comprises a small growing area around the eastern town of Noto. White wines, either dry still, dry sparkling or sweet are all made with Moscato Bianco. Reds are made from Nero d'Avola.
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Established as Moscato di Pantelleria in 1971, the appellation was renamed and broadened in 2013 to Pantelleria DOC. It is best known for its sweet wines from the Moscato grape but now still and sparkling white wines ...
Read more ▸Salina IGP covers winemaking on the island of Salina just to the north of Sicily. It is best known for its fragrant wines from varieties such as Inzolia, Catarratto
Read more ▸Sambuca di Sicilia is a small and rather underused appellation in Sicily.
Read more ▸Sciacca DOC whites can be made with Ansonica, Catarratto, Chardonnay and Grecanico Dorato while reds are made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Nero d’Avola and Sangiovese.
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Sicilia DOC is a catch all appellation for wines made throughout Sicily.
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Siracusa DOC covers wines made around the town of Siracusa in South East Sicily. The area is famous for its ancient sweet wines made from ...
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Although the regional IGP appellation of Terre Siciliane should be fairly generic, its extensive list of permitted varieties and its flexibility in production rules means that many producers are using the classification to label premium quality wi...
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Wines produced around the town of Vittoria, generally involving the red Nero d’Avola grape and the local Frappato variety carry the label Vittoria DOC.
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