Sicily has a long history of producing fine wines from ancient terroir and modern winemaking techniques. The grapes used to make these outstanding wines include indigenous varieties including:
Nerello Mascalese
Nerello Mascalese, which is named after the Mascali area in Catania where the grape is thought to have originated. It is grown mainly on the northeastern side of Sicily and is thought to be superior in quality to the Nerello Cappuccio. While it can be used for blending, the grape is often made into varietal wine grown in the DOC of Etna Rosso.
Grillo
Grillo, also known as Riddu and Rossese bianco, is a white Italian wine grape variety which withstands high temperatures and is widely used in Sicilian wine-making and, in particular, for making Marsala. Its origins are uncertain, but it may have been introduced into the island of Sicily from Apulia. It was already widely planted in the Province of Trapani by 1897; today it may be grown throughout Sicily and also in the Aeolian Islands.
Other varieties of grapes used in Sicilian winemaking include:
Negroamaro
Negroamaro, is a red wine grape variety native to southern Italy. It is grown almost exclusively in Apulia and particularly in Salento, the peninsula which can be visualized as the “heel” of Italy. The grape can produce wines very deep in color. Wines made from Negroamaro tend to be very rustic in character, combining perfumewith an earthy bitterness. The grape produces some of the best red wines of Apulia, particularly when blended with the highly scented Malvasia Nera, as in the case of Salice Salentino.
Inzolia
Ansonica or Inzolia is a white Italian wine grape planted primarily in western Sicily where it can be used to produce Marsala wine. The grape is noted for its nutty aroma. In Tuscany, the grape is known as Ansonica. It is the chief (and potentially only) component of the Tuscan D.O.C. Ansonica Costa dell’Argentario, which is located on the extreme southern coast of Tuscany and on the island
of Giglio.
As you see, there are a wide variety of grapes that produce some of the most interesting wines form Sicily. So, branch out and try something new for you from the “Old World” of Sicily.
