Island wines part 3: Sicily

In recent weeks, we’ve taken you on a wonderful journey through some of the most captivating and beautiful islands in the Mediterranean, but the story on this theme wouldn't be fully told without a word about the most extreme island of them all: Sicily.

This island has been a strategically important stopping point for Greeks, Phoenicians, Arabs, and Italians for centuries. They recognized its potential as a trade route and base of operations long ago. Viticulture has been present here since 4,000 BC, and thanks to this long history, unique terroir, and culture, several local grape varieties have emerged whose fame extends far beyond this island.

Winemaking on the slopes of Etna is winemaking in its purest form. Unprotected from the elements, a unique soil, and local varieties combine to create an incredible glass of wine. – Joery De Lille

Sicily, with its approximately 5 million inhabitants, is one of the first Italian wine regions to engage in winemaking. Since the 1980s, the quality of viticulture there has significantly improved because large wine companies from northern Italy discovered the opportunities these island wines had to offer.

In Sicily, approximately 106,000 hectares are available for viticulture. More than half of this (54%) is located on hilly terrain, 40% is in the plains, and 6% can be found on the higher slopes of Etna. Over 5 million hectoliters are produced annually, making it one of Italy's larger regions by volume. The climate in Sicily, with warm summers and mild winters, and significant rainfall, is characteristic of the Mediterranean. This results in an attractive setting for winemakers and ensures diverse viticulture.

In Sicily, winemakers truly have all the options. You can choose between volcanic or non-volcanic soil, and on the slopes of Etna, you have a choice of all possible orientations. By considering the altitude above sea level, you can also select the ideal temperature. Taking all these conditions into account, you can choose the most suitable grape variety for each vineyard, where the terroir is perfectly aligned with the intrinsic qualities of the grape.

Category	Indigenous Grape Varieties
White Grape Varieties	Catarratto, Inzolia, Grillo, Carricante, Minella
Red Grape Varieties	Nero d'Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Frappato